MDC activist’s killer, killed in prison

One of the convicts in a murder case involving Midlands Governor Jason Machaya’s son was on Wednesday reportedly fatally assaulted by inmates at Wha Wha Prison for refusing to join their escape bid.

Abel Maphosa (56), who together with Farai Machaya and brothers Edmore and Bothwel Gana, were each jailed 18 years by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi in October for murdering MDC-T activist Moses Chokuda in 2009, was allegedly killed by three inmates he shared a cell with.

Acting police spokesperson for the Midlands Province Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident. Moses Pedzisai Mahuvava (30), Wellington Gadzira (38) and Johannes Nyasha Masiiwa (24) have since been arrested.

Chokuda of Gokwe, whose body spent close to two years in a mortuary at Gokwe District Hospital, was only buried after his relatives got 20 cattle and US$15 000 cash as compensation from Governor Machaya.

Asst Insp Mahoko said Maphosa was sharing a prison cell with the accused when they allegedly connived to kill him by strangling and assaulting him for refusing to join them in their escape bid.

“Allegations are that the three suspects, Gadzira, Masiiwa and Mahuvava who were sharing the same prison cell with Maphosa hatched a plan to escape from lawful custody on Wednesday night.

“The trio who were acting in common purpose took a wire, which was used to secure the cell light and used it to create a hole at the locked wooden door of their cell. After creating a hole they then asked Maphosa who had earlier refused to be part of their plan to follow them as they intended to get out of their cell through the hole but he again refused.”

He said the trio tore strips from their blankets which they then used to tie Maphosa’s hands and legs.

“They went on to put a cloth in Maphosa’s mouth before they went on to assault him. The trio then left Maphosa and got out of their cell through the hole they had created,” said Asst Insp Maphosa.

He said when the three got to an open space outside their prison cell they took the advantage of darkness to create another opening on the barbed wire, which rings the prison complex. Asst Insp Mahoko said the trio could, however, not immediately escape after creating the final hole as there were prison officers outside the prison complex.

There was no electricity on that night but when the trio was still pondering on the next move after realising that it was not safe to make good their escape, the power was restored. They then dashed back into their cell where they found Maphosa dead, said Asst Insp Mahoko.

The case was discovered on Thursday morning by prison officers conducting cell checks. “The matter was reported to police at Lalapansi Police Station who attended to the scene leading to the arrest of the three,” he said.

Prison sources said Gadzira and Masiiwa were hardcore criminals awaiting trial on separate murder charges while Mahuvava is serving 30 years for unlawful entry and theft.

Masiiwa is understood to be one of the two self-proclaimed Gweru prophets who were arrested in February this year for allegedly axing to death a Mkoba Village 2 woman and fellow church member, Patience Mpofu during a prayer session at her home.

The other suspect Gadzira of Utete Village Chief Mazvihwa, Zvishavane also made headlines in April this year after he together with his other accomplice, Farai Ndlovu were arrested for allegedly poisoning Bulawayo miners, William Porvey and Michael Sunerland before they gruesomely killed them with stones near Kwekwe.

Provincial spokesperson for Midlands and Masvingo region Prisons, Chief Prison Officer Jere Ruzive, confirmed Masiiwa and Gadzira as suspected killers of Ms Mpofu (38) and two Bulawayo miners respectively.

“Its true that two of these inmates were in remand prison awaiting trial on murder charges one in connection with the murder of a Mkoba woman and the other in connection with the killing of two Bulawayo miners who were prospecting for gold in Kwekwe. When such incidents as murder occur in prisons, we report the matter to the police and they are the ones who can assist you with further details,” he said.