THE losing Zanu PF candidate for Bulawayo Central in the August 2023 harmonised elections, Tendai Charuka, and his brother Tawanda have been arrested for invading a farm with the intention to conduct mining activities without the owner’s approval.
Tendai and his brother appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Ernest Muzembi to answer to a charge of criminal trespass. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody to February 28 for continuation of trial.
In his defence, Tendai said he had been sponsoring mining activity at the farm with the blessing of the complainant, Charles Mabhena.
“The charges were as a result of the contractual fallout between us and Mabhena and at the time of the alleged crime, I was not in Bulawayo,” Tendai told the court.
Allegations are that on November 2 last year the brothers scaled a perimeter fence and illegally entered Lootkraal Farm in Emhlangeni, Bulawayo, for gold mining purposes.
The brothers allegedly threatened farm workers with machetes and they ran away.
The court heard that one Nkosilathi Sikhosana called Mabhena who informed him to report to the police.
A police report was made, leading to the arrest of the Charuka brothers.
- Feature: A case for children with heart diseases
- Masisi proves ruling elite out of touch with suffering citizenry
- Businessman piles pressure on top judge
- More details emerge in Justice Gwaunza saga
Keep Reading
