By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Four men appeared in court on Wednesday charged with malicious damage to property after allegedly attempting to set fire to buildings owned by businessmen linked to Zanu PF on March 28, 2025.
The accused, Last Matarutse, 40, Abel Jobe, 47, Kizito Chinhanga, 40, and Thomas Chanetsa, all from Chitungwiza, did not enter pleas when they faced Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa and were remanded in custody, advised to seek bail at the High Court.
The charges stem from allegations that the four men set vehicles ablaze outside various properties, including the office of tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo, petroleum tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s associated DA petrol station, and a business complex owned by Kuvimba Mining CEO John Mangudya in Goromonzi.
These actions reportedly followed comments made by war veteran Blessed Geza, who had labeled Tagwirei and Chivayo as “criminals around the president.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) detailed the incidents, stating that around 2:15 AM on March 28, Matarutse allegedly drove his silver Toyota Corolla to the premises of IMC Communications located at 42 Lanack Road in Avondale, parked at the entrance gate, and set his vehicle on fire, intending to damage the building owned by Chivayo. The fire caused damage to the lighting system and a sign for “Starlink Authorised Dealer.”
On the same day, Jobe reportedly went to Sano Complex in Goromonzi driving a blue Nissan Sunny, which he parked outside before igniting it. Although the vehicle exploded, no damage was reported to the complex.
Chinhanga is accused of visiting Tagwirei’s Sakunda Holdings at 11 Argyle Road, Avondale, where he parked his blue Nissan X-Trail at the entrance and set it on fire in an attempt to destroy the premises.
Chanetsa allegedly went to DA Service Station at 486A Glennara Avenue, North Highlands, Harare, with the intent to burn down the facility. He reportedly parked his vehicle at the forecourt and set it ablaze, but the fire was extinguished before it could cause any significant damage.
The investigation is ongoing as the authorities pursue further details regarding the motivations behind these alleged acts of arson.