News / National
Zanu-PF losing candidate for Chinhoyi faces arrest
02 Jun 2025 at 09:41hrs | Views
ZANU-PF member and losing candidate for the Chinhoyi parliamentary seat in the August 2023 elections, Thomas Chidzomba, is facing possible arrest after being accused of assaulting a white commercial farmer and his security guard in a fresh land dispute that has reignited tensions in Mashonaland West.
Brinsk Bosman, who holds an offer letter for Dundrennam Farm, filed a report at Murereka Police Station, alleging that Chidzomba and a group of individuals forcibly occupied part of his land and physically assaulted him and his farm guard. The incident reportedly occurred on April 5, 2025, at Bosman's 578.54-hectare property located in Lions' Den.
"Yes, I filed a report of illegal occupation and assault on me," Bosman confirmed, citing RRB number 6398554.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the developments. "Yes, I can confirm that Bosman made a report of assault at Murereka Police Station, and Chidzomba also made a counter-report of malicious damage to property against Bosman," Kohwera said.
According to police, the alleged assailants include Chidzomba, Elington Chanetsa, Bruno Elias, and Norbert Mawere. The matter was initially brought before Chinhoyi magistrate Kudzai Kapurura, but the State withdrew the charges after plea on May 16, 2025.
During the trial, Chidzomba's lawyer, Tungamirai Chamutsa, told the court that his client had acted under a power of attorney granted by Kindness Paradza, the former Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and current commissioner at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Paradza has since withdrawn the power of attorney as of May 12, just days before the charges were withdrawn.
Prosecutor Grace Zhou did not oppose the withdrawal, and the case was dropped. However, the State has not explained why Paradza initially issued the power of attorney on January 7, 2025, only to revoke it amid an ongoing police investigation.
The land dispute stems from a historical clash over competing offer letters. Paradza was issued an offer letter for Plots 3 and 4 of Summerhill Farm on November 27, 2004, while Bosman received an offer letter for Dundrennam Farm, where the alleged assault took place, on September 30, 2004.
As police continue investigations, the case has raised fresh concerns over unresolved land ownership disputes and political interference in land allocations. It also puts a spotlight on the involvement of high-profile figures in ongoing farm invasions, despite repeated government promises to resolve such matters through lawful processes.
Brinsk Bosman, who holds an offer letter for Dundrennam Farm, filed a report at Murereka Police Station, alleging that Chidzomba and a group of individuals forcibly occupied part of his land and physically assaulted him and his farm guard. The incident reportedly occurred on April 5, 2025, at Bosman's 578.54-hectare property located in Lions' Den.
"Yes, I filed a report of illegal occupation and assault on me," Bosman confirmed, citing RRB number 6398554.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the developments. "Yes, I can confirm that Bosman made a report of assault at Murereka Police Station, and Chidzomba also made a counter-report of malicious damage to property against Bosman," Kohwera said.
During the trial, Chidzomba's lawyer, Tungamirai Chamutsa, told the court that his client had acted under a power of attorney granted by Kindness Paradza, the former Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and current commissioner at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Paradza has since withdrawn the power of attorney as of May 12, just days before the charges were withdrawn.
Prosecutor Grace Zhou did not oppose the withdrawal, and the case was dropped. However, the State has not explained why Paradza initially issued the power of attorney on January 7, 2025, only to revoke it amid an ongoing police investigation.
The land dispute stems from a historical clash over competing offer letters. Paradza was issued an offer letter for Plots 3 and 4 of Summerhill Farm on November 27, 2004, while Bosman received an offer letter for Dundrennam Farm, where the alleged assault took place, on September 30, 2004.
As police continue investigations, the case has raised fresh concerns over unresolved land ownership disputes and political interference in land allocations. It also puts a spotlight on the involvement of high-profile figures in ongoing farm invasions, despite repeated government promises to resolve such matters through lawful processes.
Source - newsday
