MILLICENT HUNGWE
Controversial residents rights leader, Kamino Simango, chairman of Zvishavane Original Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (ZORRA) has reported district area prosecutor Lloyd Mavhisa to Prosecutor General, Justice Loice Matanda Moyo for extortion.
Simango told The Midweek Watch that Mavhisa asked for $500 from him to influence the outcome of his assault case which is before the courts.
According to Simango, on April 1, Mavhisa contacted him, requesting for US$500 in exchange for leniency.
Simango claims he requested time to raise the funds, but when he delayed he was arrested on April 5 and was remanded in custody by Magistrate Rachael Mukanga.
He was eventually granted bail on April 14.
Simango says this is the reason why he had refused the state to be led by local prosecutors on April 8 during his trial, citing Mavhisa’s demand for money as grounds for bias.
Mavhisa confirmed that he has since written a report to the NPA denying the allegations and said Kamino is just after tarnishing his image.
“Anyone in his or her right frame of mind would not ask for money from Kamino or even discuss sensitive issues with him because he would record every conversation, he is not trustworthy. I am not that naïve to put my job on the line by asking for a bribe from an accused person, after this storm I will consider taking legal action against him for soiling my image,” said Mavhisa.
Kamino in his report to the NPA asserts that the charges are fabricated and stem from a long-standing feud with individuals employed at Zvishavane District Hospital, that include a nurse Gerald Murozva whom he claims had exposed in his articles in the Blast Furnace Whatsapp group that he runs.
“As the Chairman of ZORRA, I write articles for the Blast Furnace group, keeping the community informed about various issues, however, my efforts to expose corruption and wrongdoing have seemingly attracted unwanted attention,” he added.
Simango is facing two counts of assault, which allegedly took place on March 30, around 9pm at Zimhondi Bottle store in Mandava, Zvishavane.
According to Simango’s report, the incident began when he had a misunderstanding with Gerald Murozva while drinking beer at the store. The situation escalated as Murozva’s companions joined in, and they allegedly assaulted him.
Sibango claims that Murozva and his friend picked up a bench and hurled it at him as he tried to run away, during the altercation, Sibango threw down the bottle of beer he was drinking, and Marozva broke a bottle, intending to stab him.
After the assault, Simango alleges that the group caught up with him and apologized, he then informed a friend who works for the intelligence organization about the incident.
Simango claims that the group panicked and went on to fabricate assault charges against him, which cannot be verified by CCTV footage installed in the store.
Kamino also raised concerns in his report about the prosecution’s motives, alleging that the charges are “tailor-made” and stem from a dispute over services received at Zvishavane White Hospital.
- “I also wrote some articles about corruption at Zvishavane Law Court pertaining National Prosecuting Authority based at Zvishavane, little did I know that I had attracted an enemy in the form of the Area Prosecutor Lloyd Mavhisa.
- Little did I know that I was on the Police wanted list for 2 counts of Assault.
- On the 1st of April 2025, I received a phone call around 10:18hrs and 11:53hrs cell number 0716989 555to my number 0714 778 104, he demanded that I should report to his office.
- I then went there around 12:10hrs and he was bold enough to tell me straight to my face that you are wanted for 2 counts of assault and he will ensure I get convicted
unless I give the complainant some money through him and I requested him to give me time to raise the money. I then left his office.
- Then on the 05/04/2025 around 16:45 hrs I was arrested by 2 CID Officers in connection with the 2 assault counts, and I was even surprised.
- I was detained at Zvishavane Police Station on the 06/04/2025 taken to court on 06/04/2025. Remanded in custody to the 08/04/2025 for bail application.
- On the 08/04/2025 my application for bail was opposed on the grounds that: 1) I was convicted of assault in May 2021, 5 months was suspended on condition that I
perform 350hrs community service at Zvishavane police station and another 10
months suspended for 3 years on condition that I don’t commit an offence involving assault
- And is flight risk might run away from justice
- Interference with witnesses.
“And my response was I am not comfortable with the prosecutors at Zvishavane, who report to Mr. L. Mavhisa since he had already indicated conflict of interest, since these are tailor made allegations, malicious to me and made to prejudice me by criminal abusing office to silence me.
I therefore request your office to investigate the matter and make recommendations” reads part of Simango’s letter of complaint to Matanda Moyo.
Simango is set to face trial on June 15 for assault.
