Chief Chireya nabbed for murder

GOKWE traditional leader Chief Chireya, born Henry Chidzivo, has been arrested for allegedly murdering a 72-year-old clansman in a dispute over chieftainship.

Chireya and six alleged accomplices, including two police officers, appeared briefly at Nembudziya Magistrates Court on Monday and Tuesday. They were remanded in custody pending referral of the case to the regional court.

The alleged accomplices are Jethro Dumbura, Chenjerayi Chidzivo, Kelvin Panashe Musariri, Kasiyani Mudyachawaona, and police officers Agent Chitsinde and Moses Sibanda.

The deceased, Tapson Jichidza, was from Taka village under Chief Chireya.

Prosecutors allege that on October 13, at around 8.30pm, the accused drove to Jichidza's homestead in the traditional leader's official Isuzu double-cab vehicle.

The group was allegedly armed with knobkerries, axes, iron bars and wooden sticks, while Chitsinde reportedly carried his service rifle, an FN with serial number 5284, loaded with eight live rounds.

Upon arrival, Chitsinde allegedly ordered members of the household to lie down. Dumbura is accused of striking Jichidza on the head with a knobkerrie, while Chitsinde allegedly hit him with the butt of his rifle.

The court heard that Chireya then allegedly ordered his accomplices to carry Jichidza's lifeless body and dump it in a disused house, accusing the elderly man of plotting to remove him from the chieftainship.

The accused allegedly assaulted Jichidza's two sons before leaving the homestead.

The family subsequently reported the incident to the police, while Jichidza's body was taken to Gokwe North District Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The accused remain in custody as the matter awaits referral to the regional court.