Village head steals from subject

Loveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
A VILLAGE head from Bulilima will appear before Chief Mphini’s court on Wednesday after he was caught by his neighbours allegedly stealing a door and some household goods from his subject’s homestead.

Samson Bhokile Dube, who is a senior sub-head and is in his early 70s, is alleged to have stolen a door, three shovels, tiles and a wheel barrow.

Chief Mphini of Bulilima confirmed the incident and said a verdict will be passed on Wednesday although the village head admitted to the offence.

“I’m going to handle the case on 9 August in my court. Dube came to me and admitted taking the door. He said he was sorry for his actions but I’m not happy with what he did and I will make sure that he is suspended so that an example is set for other village heads,” said the chief.

Chief Mphini said Dube was seen entering his neighbour’s homestead and taking a door which he hid in the fields.

The homestead is being looked after by Mr George Nkomo, who is a brother to the owner.

The owner of the homestead passed on and his wife is working in South Africa.

Mr Nkomo said there were other household goods which went missing and he now suspected that the village head was the culprit.

Mr Nkomo also said that the village head previously had a misunderstanding with the family after he flogged his brother’s children.

He also complained that although the matter was reported to the police, the village head has not been arrested.

“I reported the matter to the police on Saturday last week but the police have been saying they are coming. Now I don’t know what’s happening,” said Nkomo.

Chief Mphini said Dube has angered villagers who have implored the traditional leader to strip the “wayward” village head of his duties.