FOR 21 years, Shingirai Dendera has relentlessly pursued justice for his slain brother, refusing to let time dim the memory of that fateful day.
Despite encountering countless obstacles and closed doors in his pursuit for justice, Dendera, a Chegutu peasant farmer remains resolute.
He told NewsDay that since 2003 after the brutal murder of his brother Tambudzai at a farm in Mandalay Park on allegations of stealing maize cobs, the suspects are walking scot-free after they were released before the close of the State’s case.
Fredrick Ngombe, a Mandalay Park farmer, Tonderai Murehwa, Fungai Manyumwa and Amon Terrence were put on trial in 2007 on murder charges at the High Court under file number CR343-4/07/2003, but were released before finalisation of the matter.
They allegedly assaulted Tambudzai for stealing maize cobs in Ngombe’s field before he succumbed to the injuries.
Challenging the controversial release of the suspects, Dendera has knocked on every door of the judicial system, from the lower offices to the Prosecutor-General’s office.
Undeterred, he vowed to take his quest to the highest office on the land if necessary, adding that he had lodged complaints with the police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe and the Judicial Service Commission but was yet to be updated on the progress of investigations.
Dendera’s determination is tangible in the weighty file he meticulously maintains, filled with copies of letters he has written to investigating officers, presiding magistrates and prosecutors.
Each page represents a plea to revisit the case, re-examine evidence and bring the culprits to book.
The file, now fairly thick, testifies to his inner longing for justice for his brother.
“I have written several letters and I have lost count of them. Each of the letters I wrote is a reminder that justice delayed is not justice denied,” he said.
“I am not saying the accused persons are guilty. It is up to the court to determine that. The course of justice should prevail and allow the trying magistrate to give a determination.”
On November 12, 2020, Dendera wrote to then Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi, requesting a probe into the conduct of a public prosecutor only identified as Mabeza, whom he said consented to the release of one of the suspects.
He alleged that judge Justice Tendai Uchena released the accused from custody on Mabeza’s advice in the absence of trial prosecutor, one Makwakwa.
As a result of the release, the matter collapsed.
His latest letter dated September 26, 2024, was addressed to the Prosecutor-General Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, pleading with her to address his complaint.
“I am no longer left with any other recourse other than approaching the appointing authority in the Executive,” he said.
Yet, despite his persistence, Dendera said his letters had not been responded to over the years.
The lack of response strengthened his conviction.
“Their (the law enforcement officers) silence is a testimony to the systemic failures that have denied my brother justice,” he said. “But I won't be silenced. I won’t rest until the truth has been revealed.”
His relentless pursuit for justice has finally gotten some attention from the highest authorities.
Justice Matanda-Moyo agreed to meet with him and listen to his story.
“I have a meeting with the Prosecutor-General on Monday over the matter,” Dendera said. “I am seeing a glimmer of hope.”
In an interview with NewsDay, Justice Matanda-Moyo confirmed that she had received the complaint.
“The docket came for prosecution but it was declined prosecution because of lack of evidence,” she said. “But now I have ordered the docket to be perused again so that they make a legal opinion so that we get to understand what is lacking. When we get the legal opinion we will call him and discuss the issue.”
Despite facing countless setbacks and silence Dendera remains resolute to find closure on the death of his brother even if it takes a lifetime.