Nkomo's security officer in court over gun attack on farmer's brother

Nkomo's security officer in court over gun attack on farmer's brother

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By Lindie Whiz
Posted to the web: 14/05/2009 02:31:04
JOHN Nkomo’s chief security officer was due before a Bulawayo magistrate on Thursday charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

Eddie Sigoge, a liberation war hero and retired army colonel is accused of an attempt to kill a farmer locked in a five-year land dispute with the Zanu PF national chairman and Minister of State in the President’s Office in the Gwayi Conservancy area.

Police say Sigoge, a fearsome former Zipra combatant and military strategist made an attempt on the life of Langton Masunda but missed him, instead shot his brother FIVE TIMES in an ambush at the disputed Jijima Lodge.

Masunda’s brother, Patrick, is admitted at Bulawayo’s Mater Dei hospital where he has been since the gun attack late Saturday night.

Masunda and three pals were returning from a late night drinking spree in the Matabeleland North provincial capital, Lupane, when the Jijima Lodge farmhouse became a major crime scene.

The farmer says his young brother was shot on his buttocks when he stepped out of the car and fell to the ground. Four more shots hit him as he lay prostrate before he was dragged to the car and ferried to the hospital.

Masunda’s family says the target of the attack was the farmer who is resisting Nkomo’s attempts to prise the 611.79 hectare safari lodge.

A recent High Court default judgement gave Nkomo the right to occupy part of the farm with lodges, which attract most tourists, while Masunda was given the part that has a farmhouse – which is where the attack happened.

The matter is on appeal at the Supreme Court.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said Wednesday that the brothers may have “provoked a situation”, drawing sharp criticism from Masunda’s family.

“This man had no right to be on the property at that time,” said Brian Masunda, a brother to the farmer. “He was actually trespassing.”

The brothers had intended to have a braai on the night of the attack.

The Masunda family says it has information that some 14 ex-combatants may have been drafted to kill Langton. The family insists Nkomo has a case to answer, although the minister has yet to publicly speak on the matter.

Sigoge was arrested and later released in 2001 on suspicion of murder following the kidnap and killing of the leader of a war veterans' association, Cain Nkala.

Sigoge is a relative of Patrick Nabanyama, a former election agent for the MDC who disappeared in June 2000. Police suspected Sigoge may have carried a revenge attack on Nkala who was himself implicated in Nabanyama's disappearance.
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