AN inyanga from Gokwe escaped from police during crime scene indications at his homestead following his arrest after he was found in possession of a missing police officer’s belongings.
Pardon Nzanga (31) of Siyamuzula village, under Chief Simuchembo in Gokwe, was implicated in the case of a missing Constable Edmond Sibanda who is stationed at Tsholotsho Police Station.
Cst Sibanda reportedly went missing on October 10 during his deployment at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) offices at DDF premises in Tsholotsho.
Sources close to Cst Sibanda said he disappeared while tracking $1 900 that he had mistakenly sent to a stranger via EcoCash.
“Nzanga is the one he sent the money to. Upon follow-up, the inyanga ordered him to personally come to him to recover his money and that was the last we saw of him,” said the source.
Cst Sibanda had been deployed to guard duties as from October 10 to October 16 but he only reported for duty on the first day and thereafter disappeared.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident saying police suspected foul play.
She said security had been increased around the traditional healer as he assisted police with investigations.
“We are investigating a case of a police officer from Tsholotsho who allegedly went missing on October 10 and his belongings which include his car, driver’s licence and R2 500 were found with an inyanga in Gokwe,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
A source close to investigations said Const Sibanda’s relatives tracked down Nzanga on Monday after officially filing a missing person report on October 15.
“Through their investigations, they found Const Sibanda’s vehicle — a silver grey Toyota Axio registration Number AED 7571 — at Gokwe Centre being driven by Pardon Nzanga (31) of Siyamuzula village, under chief Simuchembo in Gokwe for pirating purposes,” said the source.
A report was made to the police and investigations led to the recovery of Sibanda’s vehicle, R2 500 and his driver’s licence which the suspect kept in his wallet and was using it.
“Nzanga said he received the vehicle from a man only identified as Admore,” said the source.
“There was R2 500 stashed in a pocket at the back of a seat inside the vehicle. This led to strong suspicion that the suspect knew of the victim’s whereabouts and was immediately arrested,” said the source.
Sources close to Const Sibanda said he loved his car and it was highly unlikely that he could have just left it with a stranger.
Nzanga took to his heels after he had directed a police investigations team to his home, saying the missing man was there recovering after he had treated him for an undisclosed ailment.
Villagers, who had gathered at his home to witness what was taking place, gave chase and caught up with him in some bushes.
The suspect is said to have allegedly given contradicting statements to the police.
State Media