Sabhuku assists murder suspects to escape

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter

A VILLAGE head has landed in trouble with Chief Mutasa after being accused of defrauding a traditional healer, Sekuru Shingirai Mukotsanjera — by preventing his subjects from paying a US$400 debt owed for services rendered in February.

The matter was brought before Chief Mutasa’s community court by Headwoman Hwisa, who accused village head, William Vhastiri, of abusing his authority.

She claimed Vhastiri blocked five murder suspects from paying Mukotsanjera.

The suspects, Godfrey Dhakameni, Happymore Matsitsiro, Ngoni Vhastiri, Rever Kamusara, and Simbanai Zindimo, had sought the healer’s assistance, only to have their cover blown out at Chief Mutasa’s community court after being implicated in the murder of Thomas Maxwell recently.

One of the suspects, Ngoni Vhastiri, is village head, Vhastiri’s son.

Headwoman Hwisa told the court that after the five men received services from Mukotsanjera, Vhastiri prevented them from settling the healer’s US$400 consultation fee.

 

He allowed them to flee without paying.

“We had to look for money elsewhere to pay Sekuru Mukotsanjera because the suspects had disappeared on Vhastiri’s orders. Now, the person who lent us the money wants it back, and we cannot afford to pay because we were not the ones who received the service,” she said.

Headwoman Hwisa further accused Vhastiri of deliberately shielding the murder suspects because of his son’s involvement.

“He is using his position to frustrate efforts to bring these suspects to justice. Instead of assisting in resolving the matter, he has obstructed the course of justice by shielding them. This is unfair, and as the headwoman of this area, I cannot allow such abuse of power,” she stated.

A neighbouring village head, Yugo Pasimupindu, echoed similar sentiments, accusing Vhastiri of siding with the suspects due to personal interests.

“We are having serious problems with Vhastiri because he is putting his family ties above justice delivery. He is siding with the suspects, and this is not the first time he has acted against the will of the people. There have been four murder cases in the Nyamukwarara area, and these five men were implicated.

“Instead of assisting the headwoman in getting to the bottom of the matter, he has been a stumbling block. It seems that Vhastiri and the other two village heads in the area are undermining Headwoman Hwisa’s authority. Perhaps it is because she is a woman, but their actions are working against justice delivery,” he said.

Village head Pasimupindu also pleaded with the court to intervene so that the borrowed money could be returned.

“We just want to recover the money so that we can pay back the person who helped us settle the debt with the healer,” he added.

When asked why he appeared to always side with the murder suspects, Vhastiri defended himself, claiming he was only being fair.

“These are people from my village. How can I condemn them before they have been found guilty? Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I never stopped anyone from paying the traditional healer. All I know is that people accused me of letting the suspects flee, and some even tried to manhandle me. When I got home, people labelled me a supporter of the suspects, but that is not true. I was merely ensuring that no one was falsely accused,” he argued.

Chief Mutasa, however, was not convinced by Vhastiri’s defence.

 

He reprimanded the village head for failing to uphold his duties as a community leader, and ordered him to facilitate the payment of the US$400 to Mukotsanjera.

“As a village head, you are supposed to be an example to your people. You are obstructing the course of justice, and allowing crime to flourish in your community. Your duty is to maintain order, not to protect murder suspects. You allowed these men to flee without paying for a service they sought in good faith. That is not leadership,” said Chief Mutasa.

He further warned Vhastiri against undermining Headwoman Hwisa’s authority, emphasising the need for co-operation with the authority.

“You must respect the chain of command. Headwoman Hwisa is your superior, and you should work with her, not against her. Your refusal to acknowledge her authority shows lack of discipline and integrity. This court will not tolerate such behaviour,” he added.

Chief Mutasa also reminded Vhastiri of the importance of traditional laws and customs.

“Let this be a lesson to you and others who think they can use their positions for personal gain. A leader must be impartial and serve the interests of the people. You cannot let criminals walk free, and then claim you are being fair. I am ordering you to ensure that the healer receives his US$400 within the next seven days, or further action will be taken against you,” he said.