Patrick Kombayi shooters die within days of each other

Elizabeth Mashiri
Two men, a CIO operative and a Zanu PF youth leader who were convicted and jailed for shooting and nearly killing former Gweru Mayor Patrick Kombayi during the 1990 General Elections died within days of each other.

Kizito Chivamba who was now the Zanu PF vice chairman for Midlands Province and MP for Chiwundura Constituency died at Gweru General Hospital last week on Wednesday 19 April 2017 after a very long illness.

His co-accused in the Kombayi shooting George Rushwaya died in Harare the week before.

Kizito who was the Zanu PF youth chairman at the time was convicted and jailed for shooting Kombayi who was the Zimbabwe Unity Movement Parliamentary candidate for Gweru Urban along Harare–Gweru Road in Gweru but was released one year into his jail term after President Mugabe pardoned him.

George Rushwaya whose name did not feature prominently in court but is understood to be one of those who fired shots at Kombayi died in Harare two weeks ago and was buried at the family farm in Nyazvidzi, Gutu.

Their deaths within days of each other have sent tongues wagging in and outside Gweru.

The other convicted person in the case, former CIO director, Elias Kanengoni died last year.

The fourth accused Bonni Hungwe is rumoured to be very unwell and ‘could die anytime’ according to sources who know him.