Lydia Koto
Eleven suspects from Mushandike Resettlement Area in Masvingo appeared before Masvingo magistrate Conceptor Ngwerume on November 5 facing allegations of murdering Taurai Lovemore Takawira who went missing on September 30 2022 in circumstances linked to power wrangles between Chiefs Bere and Charumbira.
The 11 will appear in court again on November 14 for the continuation of trial.
The accused are Shelton Samuel (50), Nogo Zicheche (61), Moleon Mbengo (46), Eriya Kwangwari (72), Elfas Mudhenge (72), Brighton Madzivire (29), Vunganai Makono (63), Ratiel Muvingi (82), Winterton Chirove (64), Aquilla Muzenda (57) and Paul Clever Munankopa (71).
The state represented by prosecutor Tinotenda Makoti said on September 30, the three village heads namely Takawira, Mike Wengedzai Matambanadzo and Luckson Sinamai under Chief Bere were at village 17A Mushandike Resettlement Area, Masvingo clearing a piece of land allocated to Sinamai by Chief Bere.
While clearing the land, the accused came to Sinamai’s land and assaulted the three.
Sinamai and Matambanadzo managed to escape leaving Takawira (who was not feeling well) behind at the mercy of the now accused people.
Takawira was never seen nor returned home from that day until November 3 when his decomposing remains were seen by Gilbert Gomorera in the grazing lands when he was looking for his cattle.
Gomorera went to report to the police leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Prior to the discovery of the remains, eight of the 11 accused were once arrested by the police and charged with assaulting Matambanadzo and Sinamai while Bere clan members continued the search for Takawira.
Chief Bere’s spokesperson Adnos Chikomo said as a clan they still maintain the death of Takawira is motivated by the power wrangles between Chiefs Bere and Charumbira.
The area under contest near Bhati area is now supposed to be legally under the jurisdiction of the recently resuscitated Bere chieftaincy while the Charumbiras to whom the land belonged before the reinstallation of Bere are reluctant to relinquish it.
