BUHERA South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) yesterday shocked the family of the late Nkulumane MP and MDC-T deputy national organising secretary Thamsanqa Mhlangu when he demanded $500 compensation for his cellphone, which he claimed was stolen by the opposition legislator way back in 2009.
By Obey Manayiti/ Luyanduhlobo Makwati
Chinotimba told NewsDay that although the matter was dismissed for lack of evidence by Harare magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini, he still believed he was entitled to some form of compensation.
“I will not go there, but his relatives should know that he died owing me some money,” the Buhera South legislator said with no shame.
“There was nothing I could have done anymore because the magistrate said it was me who was reckless by not blocking the line.
“Obviously I am not happy that he died, but I am not happy that he had not paid me back. After he did that to me, misfortunes started to haunt him. I am not a wizard, no, I am not, but what I just want is my money.”
Chinotimba claimed Mahlangu stole the mobile phone at a hotel during a public meeting to craft the country’s Constitution.
Mahlangu’s family hit back at Chinotimba saying his remarks were in bad taste.
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“He [Chinotimba] is a comedian and just trying to be funny. The painful thing is that we are mourning and he tries to do that,” said a relative, who identified herself as Gracious Guwa.
Mahlangu, who was 39, succumbed to cancer at a private hospital in Bulawayo on Monday.
The former Youth deputy minister was in 2009 charged with stealing Chinotimba’s $40 Nokia 2310, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, burial arrangements for Mahlangu will only be announced after some relatives based in the Diaspora have arrived in the country, the family said yesterday. “We are still waiting for family members to gather and discuss the way forward. For instance, we are waiting for our uncle who was close to Mahlangu and is currently in Spain,” the late legislator’s stepsister, who only identified herself as Sibanda, said.
When Southern Eye visited his Nkulumane house, only a handful of mourners were present.
Mahlangu served as Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment deputy minister during the inclusive government.
The late legislator is also former national chairman of the MDC-T youth wing.
Party members described Mahlangu “as a true democrat”.
Mourners are gathered at 15053 Nkulumane 12 in Bulawayo.
