By Tendai Kamhungira
HARARE – Stabiliser Kadafi, a Zanu PF Kadoma youth member, has appeared before a High Court judge on charges of murdering an opposition activist ahead of the 2008 presidential run-off election.
Kadafi, who is also known as Chuck Norris and has been on the run all along, is accused of murdering John Max, whom he labelled a “political sell-out”.
Max, according to court papers, died due to serious injuries sustained after being attacked by Kadafi who was in the company of Nobert Muzhingi, Thabani Mashonganyika, Sikhumbuzo Madhuveko and Mangisi Mutandavari.
Kadafi’s co-accused were jailed for an effective 15 years each by High Court Judge Felistas Chatukuta.
They were all staying at Buffalo and Tiger Mine in Kadoma, according to State papers.
However, Kadafi, who allegedly masterminded Max’s fatal attack, disappeared after the commission of the offence in August 2008 until his recent arrest by police.
It is alleged that on the fateful day, the group took Max to a nearby bush at the mine, at Kadafi’s instance.
He was made to lie down as the group attacked him all over his body using switches.
“They accused him of being a political sell-out and being a State witness in an assault case against them during the presidential run-off elections,” the court papers said.
“After assaulting him, the accused (Kadafi) ordered that the deceased (Max) immediately vacate his residence and he ordered patrons at the beer-hall to converge at the deceased’s residence to effect eviction.”
In his defence outline before High Court judge Esther Muremba, Kadafi denied ever getting involved in Max’s death.
He said Muzhingi, Mashonganyika, Strive Majabhiya and Norman Sande were the real culprits in the murder case.
Kadafi said when he arrived, he saw his co-accused assaulting Max and ordered them to stop.
He said his co-accused claimed Max had stolen their gold ore. He denied ever participating in the assault, which led to Max’s death. Daily News
