Harare – A security guard employed by Strike Security Company found himself in court this week after allegedly threatening to shoot his employer’s Human Resources manager over a dispute regarding unpaid salaries. Juda Gopito, 21, appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo to answer to the serious charges.
The complainant in the case is Karen Rutendo Kaseke, who works alongside Gopito at Strike Security.
The court heard that on April 4th, Gopito allegedly returned to the company office from his deployment, armed with a service 303 rifle, serial number 3608394, and a magazine containing four rounds.
It is alleged that he then pointed the rifle at Kaseke, demanding the immediate payment of his outstanding salaries. According to the prosecution, Kaseke attempted to calm Gopito down, but he allegedly threatened to shoot her if she failed to provide him with his five months’ worth of salary arrears.
The Officer commanding operations, Vengai Phiri, subsequently reported the incident at ZRP Mabelreign. Police officers attended the scene, disarmed Gopito, and placed him under arrest. The 303 rifle and its magazine containing four rounds were recovered at the scene.
In a separate incident highlighting the dangers associated with armed security personnel, a security guard from Mberengwa has been sentenced to six years in prison for shooting and injuring a fellow worker at a local mine.
Confidence Magaisa, 30, an employee of Hisham Security Company in Zvishavane, was stationed at Mangoro 25 Mine when the incident occurred. He appeared before Zvishavane regional magistrate Mr Sangster Tawenga, facing attempted murder charges.
Despite pleading not guilty, Magaisa was convicted after a full trial. The court sentenced him to six years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
According to the prosecution, led by Mr Ishe Mashayanye, the complainant, Mr Elton Sibanda, 23, resided at the Mangoro 25 Mine compound and worked there as a general worker. Magaisa and Sibanda were workmates and lived at the same mine compound.
The court heard that on January 19th, at around 9 pm, Sibanda and a group of other workers returned to the mine and attempted to enter through the main gate. Magaisa, who was on duty and armed with a rifle, confronted the group and ordered them to leave the premises.
As Sibanda and his colleagues began to walk away slowly, Magaisa allegedly became agitated. He then cocked his rifle and fired a single shot, striking Sibanda in the back.
Sibanda was immediately rushed to Zvishavane District Hospital, where doctors removed the lodged bullet and compiled a medical report detailing his injuries. Police arrested Magaisa shortly after the incident. The rifle used in the shooting was recovered, with one live round still in the chamber.
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