Missing taxi driver found dead near Falcon College

Missing taxi driver found dead near Falcon College

Judge Jarachara, Chronicle Reporter

A TAXI driver from Esigodini who went missing on March 15 after being hired by an unknown client has been found dead in the Falcon area.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said Nhlanganiso Mlala (38) was found dead with stab wounds all over the body and three deep cuts on the head.

Mlala is suspected to have been killed by an assailant who had hired him to go and collect goods from Falcon area.

“Mlala who was in the company of his wife Mejury Moyo was approached by an unknown assailant who asked to hire Mlala’s Honda Fit registration number AEL 5151 to go to Falcon area where he said he wanted to collect some goods.

“Mlala agreed to the hire and went with the man but never returned. The following day, puzzled by the failure of her husband to return home, Mlala’s wife went to Esigodini Police Station where she filed a report of a missing person,” said Insp Mangena.

“The same Tuesday, Mlala’s car allegedly got involved in an accident in Bulawayo and the driver disappeared from the scene.

“A search party which was mounted by the police searched for Mlala whom they found dead one hundred meters away from Esigodini Falcon Road. The body had several cuts and scratches all over, and the head had three deep cuts.”

Insp Mangena appealed to members of the public who might have knowledge on the whereabouts of the suspect to report to the nearest police station.

“The police are appealing to the members of the public who may have any knowledge about the suspect. Those who saw the person getting involved in an accident and running away may also come forth and help in arresting the suspect,” said Insp Mahiya.

Last year a 23-year-old National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student was brutally murdered by three assailants who allegedly hired him on the pretext that they wanted him to ferry their goods to Roseburn near Solusi. The police spokesperson warned taxi drivers against carrying suspicious people especially the ones they do not know.

“We are appealing to taxi drivers to inform their colleagues of their intended destinations when carrying suspicious passengers.

They can even pass through a police station and register their destination,” she said.

Insp Mangena urged motorists to install trackers on their vehicles to make it easy to locate them once they are stolen.

Gold dealer pastor robbed

Mejury Magaya, Midlands Reporter

THREE Zvishavane men have been arrested for allegedly robbing a pastor who doubles as a gold dealer after they got information that he was processing his gold ore.

Lawrence Mbizo (23), Michael Siwela (28) and Thembikhosi Kufa (24) all of Machova Village under Chief Masunda, Zvishavane, allegedly armed themselves with empty beer bottles, a catapult and a machete which they used to rob the man of the cloth.

They appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate Ms Charity Tonongera facing a count of robbery each.

Mbizo, Siwela and Kufa all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Ms Tonongera remanded them in custody to February 28 for trial.

Prosecutor Mr Tinashe Maponda told the court that on February 20 this year, Mbizo, Siwela and Kufa allegedly got information that Nolwazi Gambiza, a pastor at Faith World Ministries in Zvishavane was processing his gold ore at Chimedza Mine.

“They hatched a plan to steal from him and acting in connivance they armed themselves with empty beer bottles, a catapult and a machete before they proceeded to the mine where they found the complainant,” said Mr Maponda.

The court heard that Mbizo, Siwela and Kufa allegedly approached the complainant, started accusing him of stealing their gold ore.

The trio, Mr Maponda said allegedly pretended to be angry and demanded the gold ore threatening to assault Pastor Gambiza with their weapons.

“Lawrence demanded money from Gambiza so as to have the matter settled. In fear of his life, Gambiza surrendered US$80 to them. However, Mbizo, Siwela and Kufa said the money was too little and forcefully took more money from Gambiza`s hands to make it a total of US$560 before they went away,” he said.

Mr Maponda said the matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the trio.

Gweru artiste collaborates with Gary Tight

Mejury Magaya, Midlands Reporter

Gweru musician, Robson Vunganai has released two singles, one featuring Afro-pop artiste Gary Tight and another featuring prominent lawyer, Wellington “Jazzy Jazz” Davira.

The singles by the Afro-fusion artiste are already making waves on Central Radio and 98.4 FM in the Midlands province.

The first one “Mwari Ndinotenda” which features Tight is a gospel track while the one which features Jazzy Jazz “Kodzero ye mwanasikana” is social commentary on the girl child’s rights.

For Mwari Ndinotenda, Vunganai, who is a property developer, said he decided to rope in Tight to effectively deliver his message of hope and faith in the Lord no matter what circumstances one is faced with.

Said Vunganai: “It’s also a way of encouraging others who think their situation is unsolvable. They must focus on the Lord and wait upon Him knowing that it shall be well. If the Lord did it for Gary and myself, surely he can do it for anyone else.”

Explaining “Kodzero ye mwanasikana”, Vunganai said the girl child should be protected from any form of abuse.

“There has been a surge in the abuse of the girl child from the home to the school environment and we are saying no to that. The girl child plays a pivotal role in our lives and they’re so important that we must protect, respect and give them all the love they deserve and comfort them. This is what the song is about,” he said.

He said these two singles were a precursor to the Chenjera album he is going to launch in April.