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Robert Martin Gumbura

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter—
The witness testifying in a case in which jailed church leader Robert Martin Gumbura is accused of masterminding a foiled jailbreak yesterday narrated to the court how Gumbura was working with former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru and her followers to dethrone the Government and assassinate Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

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State witness Claudius Mutizwa said Gumbura was being used by Dr Mujuru and other former Government officials who wanted to form their own political party. Mutizwa the “informant” told the court that Gumbura was to mobilise inmates while alleged coup plotter and former army captain Albert Matapo was to mobilise manpower and weapons to start a civil war.

“The outside manpower was to advance towards Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and assist the prisoners to escape. The signal was going to come from the burning blankets,” he said.

“If they had managed to escape, they were going to get hold of Government officials while President Mugabe was in China. They wanted to get military weapons from the army and police bases and their main target was Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was the acting President then. They did not even want President Mugabe to land in the country,” Mutizwa said.

He added that the coup plotters were going to be joined by Dr Mujuru and other political heavyweights who followed her. He said Gumbura would then be heavily rewarded. “While they were planning, they said that for their plans to succeed, there should be bloodbath,” he said.

Mutizwa also said that deputy officer-in-charge of Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Superintendent Jealous Dumbura, who was working with them, was promised “heaven on earth” after the mission. He said that Dumbura was always complaining to Gumbura that he had not received anything from ZPCS despite serving in the force for 20 years.

“He told Gumbura that he was not being promoted to a more senior rank. Gumbura then promised him heaven on earth if he was to work with them,” the court heard. Gumbura’s lawyer, Mr Tapson Dzvetero, read part of Mutizwa’s police statement in which he exonerated Gumbura from any wrongdoing saying that he did not participate in the foiled jailbreak. However, Mutizwa denied saying that to the police adding that it could be a typing error.

Mutizwa left the gallery in stitches when he was asked by Mr Dzvetero if he had any proof to substantiate his allegations against Gumbura. “Yes, I have tangible proof that the accused person is sitting in dock, which means he has a case to answer and the other evidence is that I am testifying against him,” he said.

Magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo rolled over the matter to today for continuation of trial. Mr Michael Reza prosecuted.

Gumbura is jointly charged with Blessing Chauke (25), Lucky Mhungu (38), Taurai Dodzo (47), Thomas Chacha (37), Thulani Chizema (32), Jacob Sibanda (28), Elijah Vhumbunu (38) and notorious armed robber Lucky Matambanadzo (39). The nine are accused of masterminding a foiled jailbreak.