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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
The trial date of Borman Ngwenya, who was arrested while trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy farm in Mazowe has been set for March 1.
Ngwenya (30) is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army and is attached to 1 Field Regiment.
His other accomplices Solomon Makumbe (29) and Silas Pfupa (37) will appear in court on February 16.
The fourth accomplice, Owen Kuchata (34), who is the leader of Zimbabwe People’s Front political party was sentenced to nine years for the sabotage attempt.
They are facing charges of possession of weaponry for sabotage and money laundering for terrorism purposes.
The court heard that Makumbe is also a member of the Zimbabwe National Army attached to Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza alleged on January 22 around 4pm, police received a tip-off that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy’s processing plant and tuck shop during the night.
The dairy’s processing plant and tuck shop are located at Gushungo Dairy Estate, Jumbo Road in Mazowe.
Acting on the tip-off, police proceeded to the farm and laid an ambush about 100 metres from the quartet’s target. At around 10pm, the detectives saw the men approaching the dairy’s processing plant and immediately arrested them.
They searched them and recovered four Molotov cocktails (bombs) made of petrol, ammonium nitrate, nails and sand in 750 millilitres Chateau brandy bottles.
They also recovered Zimbabwe People’s Front party manifesto, party constitution and documents relating to party activities.
The quartet reportedly held several meetings to acquire funding during preparations to carry out the banditry, terrorist and sabotage activities.
They made voluntary indications to the police.
Online Reporter