Gokwe — Zanu PF Midlands Provincial chairperson and governor Jason Machaya has fully compensated the family of slain MDC-T activist Moses Chokuda to appease avenging spirits.
The compensation brokered by Chief Misheck Njelele after a two-year stand-off between the two families included 36 beasts, $12 000 and a pledge to educate two children left behind by the deceased.
Machaya made the last payment in April paving the way for the unveiling of the tombstone of the late Moses whose body spent two-and-a-half years in a morgue at Gokwe General Hospital. Relatives refused to bury him following his death at the hands of Machaya’s son Farai and four other Zanu PF activists.
Farai, Abel Maphosa, Edmore and Bothwel Gana all of Zanu PF were sentenced to 18 years in prison in a high profile trial at the Gweru High Court circuit by Justice Nicholas Mathonsi for the brutal murder of Moses.
Father of deceased, Tavengwa Chokuda confirmed that the last installment of beasts had indeed been paid as promised by the Machayas. “We are at peace with the Machayas, they made good of all their promises although it was after longer than agreed,” he said.
Soon after the last payment, the Chokudas unveiled the tombstone on April 22 in line with the Shona tradition.
Tavengwa, who is a member of the Johanne Masowe apostolic sect, was also readmitted to the church after a three-year ban owing to the dispute.
“Our uncle is a happy man now after he was readmitted to the church following a cleansing ceremony at the shrine, although the pain of losing his child still comes up in his mind. This could well be a closed chapter for the Chokudas,” said Boven Muchechetere, a close relative.
