Saturday, 25 July 2009 19:33
BULAWAYO – A man who was shot five times by one of Zanu PF chairman
John Nkomo’s workers two months ago is now demanding US$2.5 million from the
veteran politician as compensation for the injuries he suffered.

Patrick Masunda was attacked at Jijima Lodge, which is at the centre
of a long-running ownership wrangle pitting his brother, Langton, against
Nkomo.

A war veteran, Eddie Sigoge, employed as a security officer at Nkomo’s
Lugo Ranch in the Gwayi Conservancy in Matabeleland North was arrested in
connection with the case.

Patrick’s lawyer, Vonani Majoko of Majoko and Majoko Legal
Practitioners, last week said his client suffered “pain, shock,
disfigurement and loss of amenities in life” as a result of the shooting.

“Our client had to be hospitalised at great cost and expense and he
still needs further treatment,” Majoko said in a letter of demand sent to
Nkomo.

“In acting as he did, Eddie Sigoge was acting in the course and scope
of his employment with yourself thus rendering you vicariously responsible
for his conduct and deeds.”

Majoko said the firearm used in the attack was registered in Nkomo’s
name and the Minister of State Responsible for National Healing never
reported the deadly weapon as missing.

“The only inference to be drawn is that you armed your security
officer with the firearm and it must have been within your contemplation
that the firearm was to be used as it was,” the lawyers said.

The lawyers said if Nkomo failed to respond within seven days they had
instructions to sue him for US$2.5 million or for a “revised sum”.

The former Minister of Lands and Resettlement has lost a string of
cases where he tried to have Langton Masunda evicted from the safari lodge
on the disputed boundary of their neighbouring farms.

Langton believes he was the real target of the shooting on the night
of May 9 as he also spots dreadlocks like his brother.

On Friday, Nkomo refused to comment on the matter. His lawyers
Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners were not immediately available for
comment.

The Zimbabwe Standard