A Chivi businessman reportedly ran amok in August this year and torched about 25 homes of villagers he suspected of bewitching him.
The villagers in Chivi’s Sese area are now living in fear of the businessman, Thomas Chapeta, following his return from South Africa.
Chapeta allegedly destroyed villagers’ homes on 12 and 22 August with the help of an armed mob.
A villager who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity, said Chivi residents are still living in fear that Chapeta and his accomplices might terrorise them again. Said the villager:
He came on the 12th of August with a team of more than 50 people and beat up villagers.
The gang was armed with guns, machetes and hammers beating up people even the elderly.
Some of the assailants have been arrested but Chapeta, who owns a drilling company and is a son-in-law to Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Nehemiah Mutendi, remains a free man.
Chapeta has been seen attending some of the ZCC functions and is said to be using his relationship with Mutendi and his ZNAU PF connections to evade arrest. Said another villager:
People are concerned about the delay in bringing the perpetrators before the courts.
It is now more than four months. The case keeps on dragging with postponement. We suspect underhanded practices.
Failure to arrest the chief culprit during and after disturbances raises eyebrows.
He has even been seen attending church with his in-laws.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Masvingo Province, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the matter saying that the perpetrators were arrested and the case is now before the courts. | NewZimbabwe.com