In a dramatic turn of events, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has taken swift action in response to a viral social media video posted by attempted murder suspect Clark Clever Makoni (40). The police have refuted Makoni’s claims of being a victim of robbery, providing a detailed account of the underlying dispute.
According to the ZRP press statement, the allegations made by Makoni are false. The matter in question stems from a mining dispute between Makoni and four other individuals – Courage Moyo, Luxson Kandemiri, Paul Rwodzi, and Anesu Muzira. The parties were previously involved in a joint venture mine in Arcturus Area, Goromonzi, but their relationship turned sour.
The case is currently before the High Court of Zimbabwe, and the Provincial Mining Director issued a prohibition order, instructing the feuding parties to cease all mining activities. However, the police have established that the parties have not complied with the directive.
Tensions escalated on June 5th, 2024, when Makoni and Courage Moyo confronted each other in Juru. During the confrontation, Makoni allegedly shot at Moyo’s vehicle, causing a tyre to deflate. Police officers at a security roadblock subsequently took the parties to Juru Police Station, where Makoni is said to have pointed a firearm at his rivals and recorded the proceedings, which he later posted on social media.
Makoni now faces charges of Attempted Murder, Contravening the Firearms Act, the Cyber and Data Protection Act, and the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. The police have also arrested four of Makoni’s relatives for attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
We present the full police statement below:
ZRP PRESS STATEMENT
08TH JUNE 2024
ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE TAKES ACTION ON VIRAL JURU CELLS VIDEO
Reference is made to the viral social media posting by attempted murder suspect Clark Clever Makoni (40) on alleged robbery incident on him by some suspects. The public is informed that the allegations by Clark Clever Makoni are false.
The correct position is that Clark Clever Makoni has a mining dispute with Courage Moyo, Luxson Kandemiri, Paul Rwodzi and Anesu Muzira. Initially, the parties were operating a joint venture mine in Arcturus Area, Goromonzi until their relationship turned sour.
The case is now before the High Court of Zimbabwe and in the process, the Provincial Mining Director has issued a prohibition order for the feuding parties to stop any form of mining activity. The Police have established that the parties have not complied with the Provincial Mining Director’s directions.
On 05th June 2024, Courage Moyo and the suspect met in Juru on their way to the local Police Station. A confrontation ensued and Clark Clever Makoni shot Courage Moyo’s vehicle with a firearm on the tyres in full glare of the public. One of the tyres deflated.
Police officers at a security roadblock took the parties to Juru Police Station were the suspect pointed a firearm at his rivals. He refused to cooperate with police officers and recorded the proceedings which he later posted on social media.
Clark Clever Makoni appeared at Murehwa Regional Magistrate Court on 07th June 2024 facing Attempted Murder, Contravening Section 27(b) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09 “Knowing and without lawful cause, Pointing a firearm at any person”, contravening provisions of the Cyber and Data Protection Act, Chapter 12:07 and Contravening Section 41(b) of the Criminal Law Codification and reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 “Conduct likely to provoke the breach of Peace”.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has also arrested the suspect’s relatives, Silas Makoni, Amos Mapuranga, Tinotenda Maulani and Cross Gore for trying to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is taking stern disciplinary action against all police officers at ZRP Juru and Murehwa District Headquarters who allowed the suspect, Clerk Clever Makoni to go into the police cells with his property which include cellphone and money. Any corrupt allegations on the part of the police officers will also be probed.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges parties who are having business disputes to observe the country’s laws and avoid grandstanding while feeding false information to the world. Above all, the public is cautioned against name-dropping and false accusations on innocent government or security service officials.
[Nyathi P] Commissioner
Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations) to the Commissioner-General of Police
Police General Headquarters.
