By Chipinge Whistleblower| Chipinge Businessman on a kidnapping and assault spree. People at Dimire village under Headman Mambandi Sigauke near Mt Selinda Mission, south east of Chipinge town are now living in fear after local businessman Patrick Murembwa went amok and started kidnapping and assaulting minors in the village. Murembwa, who operates a General Dealer Store at Dimire business centre alleged that between November and December 2017, four minors, Blessing Mungwari, Terrence Chigumuntu, Killer Chinguno and Kembeni Masengure stole broilers from his fowl run. The broilers have an estimated value of US$ 35.

Annoyed by the incident, Murembwa in the company of his security guard who is still at large allegedly visited the boy’s homestead and kidnapped them while the parents were sleeping in the next hut. Murembwa then force marched the boys to Mutsaa Store at Dimire business centre. Upon arrival, he handcuffed the boys on an iron pole before he took turns to assault the minors using a wooden log and open fists. He then watered the boys and left them for dead before he proceeded to Chipinge town. The boys were later rescued by passer bys in the following morning. The matter was reported several times at Zona Police Base, Chako, Grass flats and Chipinge Central Police Station. However, no arrests were effected. The boys suffered severe injuries. The minors have also denied the broiler theft charges.

What has agitated the villagers is that Murembwa is roaming scot free and publicly boasts that he was a richman hence was immune from prosecution and could easily bribe the police officers handling the matter. One enlightened villager Mrs Thoko Sithole described Murembwa’s conduct as very unruly, silly and myopic. She pointed out that Murembwa had taken the law into his own hands. She further implored Godwin Matanga in his capacity as Commissioner General of Police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.

Efforts to get a comment from the Officer Commanding Police in Manicaland Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Dorothy Kupara were fruitless as her mobile was not reachable.