Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
FOUR Forestry Commission rangers have appeared before the Victoria Falls magistrates’ court facing two separate cases of kidnapping and assault.
Doesmatter Ndlovu, Gilbert Ncube, Decent Mushunje and Francis Ncube were all found guilty for kidnapping and assault after they unlawfully kidnapped Godknows Mpala from Moyo Complex bar, putting him in a Toyota Land Cruiser and driving him away against his free will.
On the first count, the court heard that on 28 June 2025, at around 10pm at Moyo Complex Bar, Matetsi, Victoria Falls, Mpala was drinking beer with his brother Lashani Shoko when the four approached him inside the bar and dragged him outside, accusing him of stealing tents at Motsamei Guest Lodge.
“The complainant’s brother, Shoko, followed them outside to enquire from the four accused persons as to why they were taking his brother in such a harsh way, but they chased him away. The four handcuffed Mpala, put him in the Toyota Land Cruiser, which they were travelling in and drove away towards Motsanei Guest Lodge against his will.
“The four later drove the vehicle to the complainant’s place of residence and searched throughout his room looking for the tents, but could not find them. The four later drove the motor vehicle to Morgan Gumbo’s place of residence with the complainant still in the motor vehicle to look for the tents. The accused person then later dropped the complainant at around 1am along the road near Matetsi Bus stop and drove away,” reads the court papers.
On the second count, the court heard that on the same date, after the four accused persons had taken the complainant from Moyo Complex bar, Matetsi, Victoria Falls, they proceeded to hit Mpala with button sticks several times all over the body.
After a full trial, Victoria Falls Magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene found the quartet guilty.
On count one, she sentenced the quartet to 36 months with 12 suspended on condition of good behaviour, while on the second count, they were sentenced to 15 months with three months suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Both sentences will be served concurrently, meaning they will serve an effective 24 months in prison.
