Online Reporter
Court Correspondent
THE trial of a 38-year-old Harare man accused of ganging up with four others to kidnap and assault a former workmate has opened at the Harare Magistrates’ Court with the complainant narrating how he endured physical abuse for eight hours.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai charged with kidnapping.
According to the State, Rondozai and his four alleged accomplices, who are still at large, committed the offences in May 2025 in Chitungwiza.
The complainant told court that Rondozai and the other yet unknown suspects arrived at his home in Zengeza 5 at around 9 pm in a silver Honda Fit.
Two of the accused allegedly knocked on the door and masqueraded as police officers. They told Matanda that he was under arrest and took him to their vehicle, where he identified Rondozai, his former manager at a local security company.
The State alleges the group assaulted Matanda with open hands, handcuffed and blindfolded him before driving him away.
The accused allegedly held him captive for about eight hours against his will. Court papers state that during his unlawful detention, Matanda was ordered not to implicate Rondozai in any misappropriation of funds at the security company.
The complainant was also asked to explain how the security company provided security to its superiors.
Matanda was allegedly threatened with unspecified action if he reported the kidnapping and assault to police or if he implicated Rondozai in any fraud case.
The suspects are alleged to have later dumped Matanda near a bridge along new Chitungwiza Road.
Fearing for his life, Matanda fled to South Africa and only returned home in December 2025. Matanda later reported the matter at St Mary’s Police Station, leading to Rondozai’s arrest.
During cross-examination, Rondozai’s lawyer Mr Oliver Marwa said Matanda was not being truthful as he could not even remember the exact date of his alleged abduction.
Mr Marwa asked how Matanda identified Rondozai if the abduction allegedly took place at night.
In response, Matanda said even though he did not recognise his other abductors, he positively identified his former manager Rondozai, whom he saw through the vehicle’s partially open window.
He said the area where the car was parked outside his residence was also well lit, enabling him to identify Rondozai before the suspects blindfolded him.
Matanda’s version of events was corroborated in statements recorded from his brother and wife, who are witnesses in the case.
The statements were read out in court.
Mr Kuhudzai deferred the matter to July 8 for continuation of trial.
