News / Local
Chinotimba demands $500 from dead MP's family
07 Oct 2015 at 01:51hrs | Views
BUHERA South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) yesterday shocked the family of the late Nkulumane MP and MDC-T deputy national organising secretary Thamsanqa Mahlangu when he demanded $500 compensation for his cellphone, which he claimed was stolen by the opposition legislator way back in 2009.
Chinotimba told NewsDay that although the matter was dismissed for lack of evidence by Harare magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini, he still believed he was entitled to some form of compensation.
"I will not go there, but his relatives should know that he died owing me some money," the Buhera South legislator said with no shame.
"There was nothing I could have done anymore because the magistrate said it was me who was reckless by not blocking the line.
"Obviously I am not happy that he died, but I am not happy that he had not paid me back. After he did that to me, misfortunes started to haunt him. I am not a wizard, no, I am not, but what I just want is my money."
Chinotimba claimed Mahlangu stole the mobile phone at a hotel during a public meeting to craft the country's Constitution.
Mahlangu's family hit back at Chinotimba saying his remarks were in bad taste.
"He [Chinotimba] is a comedian and just trying to be funny. The painful thing is that we are mourning and he tries to do that," said a relative, who identified herself as Gracious Guwa.
Mahlangu, who was 39, succumbed to cancer at a private hospital in Bulawayo on Monday.
The former Youth deputy minister was in 2009 charged with stealing Chinotimba's $40 Nokia 2310, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.
Chinotimba told NewsDay that although the matter was dismissed for lack of evidence by Harare magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini, he still believed he was entitled to some form of compensation.
"I will not go there, but his relatives should know that he died owing me some money," the Buhera South legislator said with no shame.
"There was nothing I could have done anymore because the magistrate said it was me who was reckless by not blocking the line.
"Obviously I am not happy that he died, but I am not happy that he had not paid me back. After he did that to me, misfortunes started to haunt him. I am not a wizard, no, I am not, but what I just want is my money."
Mahlangu's family hit back at Chinotimba saying his remarks were in bad taste.
"He [Chinotimba] is a comedian and just trying to be funny. The painful thing is that we are mourning and he tries to do that," said a relative, who identified herself as Gracious Guwa.
Mahlangu, who was 39, succumbed to cancer at a private hospital in Bulawayo on Monday.
The former Youth deputy minister was in 2009 charged with stealing Chinotimba's $40 Nokia 2310, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.
Source - newsday
