Chief Charumbira Threatens Action Against Niece
Charumbira said that he wanted to file charges against those who were raising the allegations, which he said were false.
CHIEFS Council president Fortune Charumbira, who has been reported for allegedly sexually abusing his married niece on two occasions, has threatened to sue the victim for defamation, claiming the charges were baseless.
Charumbira, is who is also president of Pan-African Parliament (PAP), is accusing the victim of conniving with opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party members to fabricate charges against him after he failed to convince the victim’s family to withdraw the charges.
The victim, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, reported the matter at Masvingo Central Police Station under RRB 5457646 on Saturday last week, but Charumbira has not yet been arrested.
In leaked WhatsApp chats, Charumbira told the victim’s father that he regretted that the incident occurred and pleaded with him not to share the leaked audio in which he was allegedly soliciting for a kiss from the 27-year-old niece.
“Mangwanani Shumba. Even before I opened the audio, I heard from Nyembesi who had heard from Jonny. I like your spirit. Let us maintain the constructive approach. Let’s build and not destroy the good spirit.
“You sent me the audio to listen and respond. Nothing is better than that. Although I would have suggested not sharing the audio before engaging with me, I will not be diffensive (sic).
“I will be open and seek to mend. Please take your comfort to meet and get the confused circumstances, clear confusion and mixed up identity. Until now. Cool down.
Ngatisangane tiri two (Let’s meet the two of us). You may choose to understand my IGNORANCE at the time (sic). I regret it.”
But Charumbira said that he wanted to file charges against those who were raising the allegations, which he said were false.
“I actually want to sue those who are levelling those false allegations against me. There is no element of truth in those allegations. I never spoke to them after the charges were filed against me.”
He, however, requested further questions in writing, but had not yet responded by last night.
“I want to set the record straight. Send me your question on WhatsApp and I will explain everything to you.”
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police would release a statement on the matter.
“We still stand by what we said earlier that we will release a statement in due course. On allegations of threatening the victim, I will check with the Officer Commanding Masvingo.”
The victim’s father refused to comment on his conversation with Charumbira.
