FORMER People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member and MDC-T
Bulawayo senator, Matson Hlalo is at the centre of an assassination plot after
two brothers sued him over threats to hire a hitman from South Africa to kill
them following a protracted wrangle over a mining licence in Ntabazinduna.
Mkhanyeli Masuku and Mbiko Masuku claimed Hlalo threatened
to shoot them as punishment for refusing to renew his contract at Chen Mine.
The duo claimed the top politician also threatened to
enlist the services of some officials from the President’s Office to
“decisively deal with them”.
Fearing for their lives, the two brothers approached the
Bulawayo Civil Court seeking a protection order against the ex-senator.
In their separate affidavits they alleged that they were
now living in extreme fear after Hlalo threatened to teach them a lesson “they
would never forget”.
“I know Matson Hlalo as someone whom we once contracted to
mine at my workplace at Chen Mine situated in Ntabazinduna Khoce A and B. Our
contract with him has since expired. He is now threatening to shoot me with his
gun because I refused to renew his contract. He is also threatening to hire
thugs and a hitman from South Africa to assassinate me.
“He said he is connected with the CIO and he can use them
to deal with me. He said as a respected politician he wants to teach me a
lesson as a small boy. He also goes around peddling lies to my brother and
father, something which has since destroyed my relationship with them.
“I now pray for a protection order to stop him from
peddling lies against me, coming to my workplace and home in Jabulani Line in
Ntabazinduna,” reads part of Mkhanyeli’s affidavit which was also being
supported by that of his brother Mbiko.
Through their lawyer Dumisani Dube, of Mathonsi Law
Chambers Mkhanyeli and Mbiko stated that court officials also received threats
from third parties who are suspected to be Hlalo’s emissaries.
“These threats to official members are being investigated
by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Chief Magistrate as well as by Judge
President. The President’s Office has also been advised of those members of the
CIO who could be abusing their authority and there is no harm that respondent
should be ordered to keep peace with the applicants,” Dube said.
He said if there were any differences among the parties due
process of the law should be followed so that law and order is maintained and
preserved in society.
In response, Hlalo through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole of
Ncube Attorneys dismissed the accusations levelled against him adding that the
two brothers through their application for a protection order they were
flagrantly abusing the court process.
“This is a classic case of abuse of court process. It is
clear from the applicants that they have been trying to perpetuate a certain
agenda,” Ncube said.
He added: “The first applicant (Mkhanyeli Masuku) has
stated that respondent has threatened to shoot him with a gun because he
refused to renew the contract. We are being told a lie. He is not part of the
Chen Syndicate at all. He doesn’t have the power to renew or cancel the
licence. He is a stranger from the coast with an inflated ego.
“As if that is not enough in his prayer, he prays for a
protection order stopping respondent from coming to his workplace, residential
place and the whole of Jabulani Line in Ntabazinduna and from peddling lies.
“He is no longer praying that he be protected from the
threats of being shot. It is the same thing that happens with second applicant
(Mbiko Masuku) who says he refused to renew a contract.”
He further said the two brothers were not part of the mine
in question. Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu who presided over the matter
subsequently dismissed it. B Metro
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