Farmer provoked Nkomo's workers, court told

Farmer provoked Nkomo's workers, court told

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By Lindie Whiz
Posted to the web: 21/05/2009 01:32:03
A FARMER locked in a land dispute with John Nkomo drove the Zanu PF national chairman’s workers into the bush before his brother was shot and wounded by Nkomo’s security officer, a court heard on Wednesday.

Safari operator Langton Masunda has been locked in a dispute with the minister for four years over the ownership of Jijima Lodge in the Gwayi Conservancy area – some 120km north of Bulawayo.

Langton’s brother, Patrick Masunda, was shot five times, the family says, late at night on May 9. He underwent surgery on Monday to remove two bullets still lodged in his body.

The family has previously said the attack was unprovoked.

At the Bulawayo Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Masunda and his two half brothers Benjamin Tawamanya and Robert Revai were charged with public violence and freed on US$10 bail each. They were not asked to plead.

Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla ordered them to present themselves before a Hwange magistrate – who has the jurisdiction -- on June 1.

The brothers are barred from going to Jijima Lodge until their case is finalised.

Prosecutor Clemence Shawarira told the court that Langton Masunda is involved in a legal wrangle with Nkomo over the ownership of Jijima Lodge situated inside the Lugo Ranch.

Justice Rita Makarau last year granted Nkomo an order directing that Masunda should vacate the property.

Masunda later lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court which is yet to be heard.

Meanwhile, the Messenger of Court, on the basis of that High Court order, moved to evict Masunda.

The court heard that on May 9, at about 11.30PM, the trio in the company of others went to the lodge driving in two vehicles.

Prosecutors say on arrival, they confronted Nkomo’s workers, telling them to vacate the property.

They were driving up and down the lodge yard hurling insults at the workers until the workers fled into the bush in fear, the court heard.

Nkomo’s security officer, war veteran Eddie Sigoge, 61, is said to have shot and wounded the farmer’s brother in the clashes.

Sigoge has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. He is out on bail.
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