Nkomo’s ex-aide to wait longer for verdict

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JUDGMENT in the case of the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo’s security manager Eddie Sigoge has been deferred for the second time to August 8 after the State failed to file its written closing submissions for the court to make a ruling.

JUDGMENT in the case of the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo’s security manager Eddie Sigoge has been deferred for the second time to August 8 after the State failed to file its written closing submissions for the court to make a ruling.

RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR COURT REPORTER

Sigoge, a retired army colonel, is facing attempted murder charges.

In February the trial magistrate Dambudzo Malunga, the regional magistrate for the Western Division, could also not deliver judgment after Sigoge defaulted court.

She issued a warrant of arrest against him, but his lawyer Tanaka Muganyi later revealed that Sigoge was seriously ill and admitted at the Catholic-run Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo where he was operated on to treat a nagging hip.

Muganyi confirmed the new development to Southern Eye yesterday.

“Yes, the judgment has been postponed to August 8. The State has not filed its closing submissions making the situation difficult,” Muganyi said.

Sigoge (61) of Lobengula West in Bulawayo allegedly fired eight times at the family of businessman Langton Masunda at Lugo Ranch injuring his brother Patrick.

Sigoge claims he fired three warning shots in the air and Patrick, who was left for dead, was shot because he was advancing and was injured on both thighs and genitals.

Sigoge is facing eight counts of attempted murder and denies the charges, saying the Masunda brothers trespassed onto Nkomo’s property.

He has an additional charge of possessing a firearm without a licence after it was discovered the pistol he used belonged to his employer and had been registered in Nkomo’s name for personal protection.

Langton was embroiled in a heated land dispute with the late Nkomo over the Gwayi Conservancy.