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Chronicle Reporter 

A PLUMTREE family are seeking assistance from members of the public in locating their relative Bhekizulu Ncube who has been missing for the past couple of weeks.

Bhekizulu reportedly went missing after he was arrested under falsified charges relating to a family dispute involving a family business which is part of an inheritance located at Nlondo business centre.

According to a relative who spoke on condition of anonymity, Bhekizulu has been fighting for the control of the shop with his uncle Doubt Ncube, who is employed by the Air force of Zimbabwe based at Thornhill airbase in Gweru.

As a member of the ruling Zanu-PF, Doubt was at times used to operate in Matabeleland South, his birth province and was considered an influential figure.

“The dispute has actually been going on for some time now. The business was inherited from his grandfather and was initially run by his father Collet Ncube and Doubt, but Doubt felt he had to run it alone. In 1988 Collet disappeared at the height of the fight between the two and till now no one knows what happened to him but it is suspected that Doubt was behind the disappearance.

“”Doubt subsequently took over the shop but failed to run it. Bhekizulu later took over the shop and it became largely successful. The shop was now a popular spot and they would also host MDC members whenever they had a programme in the areas, not that he was politically inclined but he viewed business as business. Seeing that the business was now prospering Doubt then re-emerge into the picture demanding that the shop belonged to him,” said the relative.

The relative revealed that Doubt would use members of the ruling Zanu-PF to intimidate Bhekizulu accusing him of holding illegal political meetings at the premises.

“Everything came to a head when Bhekizulu was picked up by the police, purportedly for holding illegal meetings and alleged public nuisance. We soon realised that this was all a cover, as they viewed the shop as now a conduit for the opposition because after Bhekizulu’s arrest, Doubt never even attempted to come and run the store.

“After this arrest, naturally as family members we tried to follow-up our relative but since that day no one seems to know where he is. We went to all police stations and prisons in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo but we have got no joy. This is why we have decided to approach the media maybe someone has an idea where Bhekizulu is,” said the relative.

“Our fear is that Bhekizulu will face the same fate as his father in 1988, all just for a small inheritance. We beg that if anyone has information to please assist us because we are worried,” added the relative.