A storm is brewing in Ward 11Chiredzi Rural District Council where the incumbent Councillor is accused for shielding a well-known murderer.
By Staff Reporters
Councillor Netsai Zava told this publication that though he is related to Samson and Josephat Makavele, he has nothing to do with their alleged murder case that happened in 2004.
Villagers in Mutombo village which is under the Councillor’s jurisdiction told this publication that they reported to him the return of Samson, who fled the country to South Africa after murdering Hasani Hahlani Makavele In a gruesome manner together with his accomplice Josephat.
Privy sources said the two accused Hasani Hlahlani Makavele Of witchcraft and went to his homestead in the wee hours, bundled him to the fields where they murdered him before removing his private parts.
As a way of trying to conceal evidence, the two wrapped the corpse in a sack and took it back home where they tried to tie it up in one of the rooms so it would appear as suicide.
The rope they were using broke on several times before they decided to burn the body outside the house.
They heaped plastics and some blankets on the corpse and set it on fire but it could not be burned by the raging fire.
The two suspects were arrested by police after a tip off from villagers. They were both brought to Court but later released on bail.
The two fled the country and went on to stay in South Africa up until 2017 when Samsom returned home.
Upon his return, one of the villagers notified the Councillor hoping that he would report the matter to Police.
Instead, the Councillor is alleged to have allocated a Stand for the accused at Mutombo village where he is now staying.
Privy sources who preferred not to be named for fear of victimization said the accused is related to the Councillor.
“The Councillor is shielding this man because it’s his cousin” said the source.
Cllr Zava confirmed that Makavele is his cousin. He also confirmed on the murder case but said he was not around at that time.
“Is it Laina who told you about this issue? Yes I am related to Samsom Makavele.He is my cousin but by the time that matter happened I was not around. I was not the Councillor by then because I was still serving in the Zimbabwe National Army where I retired in 2006” he said.
Laina is the daughter to the slained victim who also, among several villagers, narrated how his father was killed in cold blood by the two ruthless assailants.
“Why did he report the case to me instead of the Police. My duty as a Councillor is to do developmental issues in the Ward not to deal with criminal matters” Zava said after he was asked what action he took after he got the report.
Efforts to get a comment from Makavele were fruitless after he disappeared from his homestead, avoiding our News crew.
The officer in Charge at Chikombedzi Inspector Ncube said she cannot comment.
“I am sorry I am not allowed to comment to the Press” she said.
