Chief Nhema accused of extortion

A businessman from Tsigo Village, Kudakwashe Zhangare, has accused Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda, and his messengers of confiscating property worth thousands of dollars from his shop at Sokutamba Business Center in Ward 14. The chief allegedly demanded US$100 for operating the shopping centre without his approval.

Zhangare, who established the pole-and-mud shop in 2022 after consulting local village heads, said he had followed due process by engaging Councillor Boas Museki and obtaining permission from the Zaka Rural District Council (RDC). The business was intended to serve residents from surrounding villages including Tsigo, Chiwawa, Rwezuva, Mabva, Njenjere, and Tadzivirirwa, where previously people had to travel long distances to access basic goods.

"The village heads advised me to involve the councillor, which I did. I was directed to Zaka RDC, presented my case, and was allowed to operate while awaiting formal regularization," Zhangare explained.

He said the business was thriving and he had begun upgrading the structure when Chief Nhema allegedly demanded US$100, claiming that the centre had been established without his knowledge. While Zhangare was still raising the funds and had collected US$75, the chief's messengers reportedly raided his shop, confiscating a snooker table, fridge, groceries, door frames, and doors.

"My wife called the chief to enquire after they had confiscated the goods, but he denied receiving the goods and said he would investigate," Zhangare said.

Contacted for comment, Chief Nhema stated that he was not home and had limited knowledge of the incident. He asked reporters to follow up over the weekend when he would be available.

"I am not home, get in touch over the weekend. I would have gone home and I can then answer you," he said.

One of the messengers, identified only as Burari, acknowledged awareness of the incident but denied taking part in the confiscation, saying it was carried out by his colleagues. "I was not there. I just heard about it. Come on Saturday, and I will show you my colleagues who went there," he told TellZim News, declining to name those responsible.

The incident has raised concerns among locals about the challenges faced by small-scale entrepreneurs in rural areas, where overlapping traditional authority and local governance structures can sometimes result in conflict and uncertainty for business operators.