GOROMONZI – Contrary to claims made by Zimbabwean businessman Clark Makoni that he was being held at Juru Police Station after reporting an attempted robbery, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have refuted the allegations, stating that Makoni is actually a suspect in an attempted murder case.
In an interview with Nehanda TV, Makoni claimed that he was thrown into a jail cell and charged with discharging a firearm and pointing a gun at someone, instead of being treated as a victim.
However, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has dismissed Makoni’s allegations as “false”.
According to Nyathi, the correct position is that Makoni has a mining dispute with Courage Moyo, Luxson Kandemiri, Paul Rwodzi, and Anesu Muzira, which is currently before the High Court of Zimbabwe.
Despite a prohibition order issued by the Provincial Mining Director to stop any form of mining activity, the parties have not complied.
On June 5, 2024, a confrontation ensued between Makoni and Moyo, resulting in Makoni shooting Moyo’s vehicle with a firearm, deflating one of the tyres.
Nyathi said officers at a security roadblock took the parties to Juru Police Station, where Makoni pointed a firearm at his rivals and refused to cooperate with police officers.
Makoni has since been charged with attempted murder, contravening the Firearms Act, pointing a firearm at a person, contravening the Cyber and Data Protection Act, and conduct likely to provoke a breach of peace.
His relatives, Silas Makoni, Amos Mapuranga, Tinotenda Maulani, and Cross Gore, have also been arrested for trying to defeat or obstruct the course of justice after they allegedly tried to break him out of the cells.
The ZRP has also launched an investigation into the matter and is taking disciplinary action against police officers at ZRP Juru and Murehwa District Headquarters who allowed Makoni to enter the police cells with his property, including his cellphone and money.
Nyathi warned parties with business disputes to observe the country’s laws and avoid grandstanding.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges parties who are having business disputes to observe the country’s laws and avoid grandstanding while feeding false information to the world,” Nyathi said in a statement.
He also cautioned the public against name-dropping and false accusations against government or security service officials.
