via Mugabe bomb claim: CIO spy freed – NewZimbabwe 29/01/2016
PROSECUTORS have dropped charges against a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) spy accused with other claimed accomplices of attempting to bomb a dairy company owned by President Robert Mugabe.
CIO officer Solomon Makumbe, 29, was charged together with the leaders of a fringe political party known as Zimbabwe’s People’s Front.
The state claimed they tried to bomb Mazowe-based Alpha Omega Dairy which is run by First Lady Grace Mugabe.
On Friday prosecutors withdrew charges against Makumbe and alleged accomplice Silas Pfupa, aged 37.
Court heard the two will now become chief state witnesses in the case.
Still to face the music are Zimbabwe People’s Front political party president Owen Kuchata, 34, and one Borman Ngwenya, 30.
All four accused were arrested last Friday following an abortive bid to petrol-bomb the dairy farm.
They initially appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe under heavy police guard and were charged for possession of weaponry, sabotage and money laundering and terrorism.
Kuchata and Ngwenya, who are in custody, will be back in court on February 8 for routine remand pending trial.
According to the state, on January 15, police received a tipoff that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy’s processing plant and tuck shop during the night.
Both facilities are located at Gushungo Dairy Estate, along Jumbo Road in Mazowe.
Acting on the tipoff, police proceeded to the farm and laid an ambush some 100 metres from the quartet’s target.
Around 10pm, the detectives saw the men approaching the dairy’s processing plant and immediately arrested them.
They searched them and recovered four Molotov cocktails (bombs) made of petrol, ammonium nitrate, nails and sand in 750 millilitres Chateau empty bottles.
They also recovered Zimbabwe People’s Front party manifesto, party constitution and documents relating to party activities.
The quartet reportedly held several meetings to acquire funding during preparations to carry out “the banditry, terrorist and sabotage activities”.
Court heard they made voluntary indications to the police on Sunday.
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