Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
FORMER Water Resources Minister and long-serving Binga South legislator, Joel Gabbuza, has been left permanently blind in one eye and nursing severe injuries following a violent attack allegedly carried out by a villager, who accused him of having an affair with his estranged wife.
The alleged attacker, Samson Siazuza (46) of Kenyango village under Chief Pashu area, appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube last week, charged with attempted murder.
prosecutor, Mrs Charlene Gorerino, said the incident occurred on 5 June when Gabbuza (58) offered transport to Siazuza’s estranged wife, Rumbidzai Munsaka, from Kamativi business centre to her mother’s homestead in Siamwaka village.
After dropping her off, he parked his vehicle at the homestead to rest.
Moments later, Siazuza, accompanied by his relative Smart Birthwell Siazuza, who is still at large, arrived at the homestead and found Gabbuza’s vehicle parked outside. Consumed by jealousy and suspecting an affair, the accused allegedly pulled Gabbuza out of the car, stabbed him in the right eye with a home-made knife, while his accomplice struck him on the head with a log.
The court heard that the two men then allegedly took turns assaulting the complainant with logs and the knife, leaving him unconscious and bleeding.
Munsaka, who had been inside the house, rushed out after hearing Gabbuza’s cries but fled to a nearby village to seek help.
In her testimony, she said she was no longer married to Siazuza, telling the court that Siazuza chased her away and took another wife.
As a result of the attack, Gabbuza sustained permanent loss of sight in his right eye, deep head wounds and nerve damage to his left hand caused by repeated stab wounds. He was initially admitted at Hwange Colliery Hospital before being airlifted to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, where he has been receiving specialist treatment.
The incident sparked mixed reactions across Zimbabwe, given Gabbuza’s standing as a veteran politician. He served as Minister of Water Resources Development and Management in the 2009–2013 inclusive Government and represented Binga South in Parliament for more than two decades on an opposition MDC ticket before being recalled in 2023 under CCC.
Police recovered the knife and logs allegedly used in the assault, which were tendered in court as exhibits.
Both Gabbuza and Munsaka have since testified, with Gabbuza recounting how he was ambushed and left for dead, while Munsaka distanced herself from the accused. The trial resumes on Friday, with the State expected to call its final witness.
derick.khumalo