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were convicted and jailed for murdering a Gokwe villager.
Governor Machaya said he had faith in the country’s judiciary and those who break the law should be punished accordingly.
“I accept the verdict that came out of the courts. I do not condone any act of violence, worse still that destroys life.

“It’s natural that punishment must be given to those that acted outside the law of the country, including my son, Farai,” said Governor Machaya.
He said he was sorry for the incident that claimed Moses Chokuda’s life.
Governor Machaya said his family would soon engage the Chokuda family with a view to compensating them in line with the dictates of African culture.

“I sincerely extend my apology to the bereaved family. Now that the courts have done their part, we will meet as the Machaya family and engage the Chokuda family with a view to compensating them in line with our own culture that seeks to harmonise relations among families whenever such tragic events happen. I hope this will put to rest the unnecessary agony,” he said.

Governor Machaya, who is also Zanu-PF provincial chairperson for the Midlands, said it was unfortunate that some political parties and certain sections of the media decided to gain mileage by politicising the death of Moses Chokuda.

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“I am happy that the court has completely revealed that the matter was not politically motivated as was alleged by many media houses and some political parties.
“Let me take this opportunity to advise citizens not to take the law into their own hands. They should always use the official structures of Government to seek redress as it is these structures that are mandated to deal with different issues that arise in our social lives,” he said.

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Farai (29) and his accomplices, Abel Maposa (52) Edmore Gana (29) and his younger brother Bothwell (26) and two other accomplices, Obert Gavi and Tirivashoma Mawadze (both aged 25) fatally assaulted Moses Chokuda in 2009. Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, sitting with assessors Messrs Jameson Lex Dhlula and Wellington Takawira Matemba, found Farai Machaya, Maposa, Edmore and Bothwell Gana guilty of murder with constructive intent and sentenced them to 18 years in prison each.
The fifth and sixth persons, soldiers Gavi and Mawadze were found guilty of a lesser offence of assault and were sentenced to 12 months in prison, wholly suspended.