Nkomo's security chief tells police he shot farmer's brother

Nkomo's security chief tells police he shot farmer's brother

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By Lindie Whiz
Posted to the web: 15/05/2009 03:09:04
JOHN Nkomo’s chief security officer appeared in court Thursday charged with attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Eddie Sigoge, 61, is accused of making an attempt on the life of Patrick Masunda, the brother of a farmer locked in a land dispute with the Minister of State in the President’s Office and Zanu PF national chairman in the Gwayi Conservancy – some 120km north of Bulawayo.

He was freed on US$100 bail by Hwange magistrate Peter Tomupei Madiba. He was ordered to return to court on May 27.

Sigoge, a liberation war hero and retired army colonel, was also ordered to reside at his given address in Bulawayo’s Lobengula West suburb until the end of his trial.

He must also not go to Jijima Lodge – the 611.79 hectare safari farm which Nkomo has battled for five years to prise from Langton Masunda, brother to Patrick.

The magistrate also ordered him not to interfere with State witnesses.

Prosecutors say Sigoge quarrelled with Patrick Masunda late at night on May 9 over the occupation of Jijima Lodge.

Patrick, the prosecutors say, wanted Sigoge and dozens of Nkomo's employees at the lodge to vacate the property insisting they were trespassing.

The State will seek to prove that Sigoge pulled out a Browning pistol and shot Patrick four times in the pelvis area.

Prosecutors say police recovered the firearm used in the shooting, together with a certificate which does not bear Sigoge’s particulars. The gun’s legal owner was not revealed in court. Also recovered were six rounds of ammunition.

According to the Request for Remand which persuaded the magistrate to free Sigoge, he made indications to the police as to how he committed the offence as well his position when he fired the weapon leading to the recovery of three spent cartridges.

Patrick is still admitted at a private hospital in Bulawayo and his condition is said to be serious.

Joseph Tapiwa Chatitayi appeared for the State and Christopher Dube-Banda, of Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners defended Sigoge.
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