Former minister Zhanda’s son arrested for assaulting farm workers over missing potatoes

Harare– FORMER Agriculture minister Paddy Zhanda’s 40-year-old son was arrested Saturday for mercilessly assaulting three farm workers whom he accused of stealing potatoes at the Goromonzi family farm, Express Mail Zim can report.

Circumstances are that on January 26 2023, Paddy Jnr discovered that 150kg of potatoes were missing at the family’s Chipfumbi farm.

He carried out his investigations and implicated three workers namely Dickson Nyatadzi, Nyasha Salamani and Loveness Madziva.

He took the law into his own hands and allegedly summoned them to the farm warehouse where he tied their hands and ruthlessly flogged the defenseless workers.

Videographic evidence is available since Zhanda Jnr was filmed in the act.

Mounting calls for his arrest inundated social media platforms, prompting police to react swiftly.

He was arrested Saturday and made his initial court appearance Monday at the Harare Magistrate’s Court where he faced three counts of assault.

National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the development in a statement released Monday.

“The ZRP confirms that Paddy Zhanda, 40, has been arrested and appeared in court today facing three counts of assault,” read part of the statement.

He is out on bail.

Nyathi went on to give a stern warning to employers urging them to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

The three employees, including two women, were also arrested for allegedly stealing 150kg of potatoes from Zhanda Jnr.