Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A ZANU PF councillor from Mberengwa has appeared in court facing several charges of theft, assault and malicious damage to property.
Trevors Mlambo (51), councillor for Ward 36 Neta, Mberengwa, is accused of mobilising some youths to commit the crimes.
The five complainants in the case are Leonard Shumba of Budy Mine, Nobuhle Moyo, Beauty Moyo, Stanford Moyo and Rejoice Sibanda of Hamandishe Village, chief Bvute, Mberengwa.
Mlambo and his co-accused appeared before Mberengwa Magistrate Evia Matura on 5 January 2021 and were remanded to 9 February 2021.
The councillor’s co-accused are Zivanai Hamandishe (55), Morrison Zivanai (53), Shelton Moyo (28), Tinodaishe Shoko (28), John Zuvarigere (47), Norman Zvotiona (34), Tichaona Wabatagore (37), Elijah Ndava (26), and Ralph Black (39).
Prosecutor Faith Mwale told the court that on 28 December 2020, the gang assaulted and threatened Sibanengi Moyo’s wife, Rejoice Sibanda, after they couldn’t find him at his home.
They accused Moyo of stealing goods from a certain shop at Beauty Business Centre and having assaulted his wife, they promised to come back and burn down the houses.
The gang is also accused of assaulting Beauty Moyo and robbing her of her itel cellphone and a US$50 note. Beauty was responding to reports that the gang had set her brother’s mine (Budy Mine) on fire when she was attacked.
The gang also allegedly set all plastic tents and clothes at Budy Mine on fire and damaged some mining equipment valued at US$1 810.
The gang is also accused of destroying a one-roomed bedroom and a tent belonging to Nobuhle Moyo.
They also allegedly destroyed Stanford Moyo’s two round huts and one-roomed bedroom by setting them on fire resulting in the loss of property worth US$3 731.
