The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
A POPULAR restaurant owner based in Plumtree town, Matabeleland South, Sibusisiwe Moyo, has been forced to shut down her business, with family members saying they are not aware of her whereabouts after her business was targeted on allegations that she was using her premises as hub for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.
Moyo, was running the popular MaMoyo’s traditional meals restaurant in the town since August 2022.
The restaurant which had over the months become popular among locals is located along Tegwane Road in the town.
However, it had become popular with members of the opposition who were now using to convene party meetings as they work towards constituting their internal structures ahead of next year’s elections.
According to Moyo’s relative who declined to be named, the restaurant was recently forced to close after it was raided by the police and members of the ruling Zanu-PF.
“What happened is my grand-daughter was running a legit business which had grown to become one of the most popular outlets in the town. Owing to that popularity it then happened that she hosted a delegation which was said to be from the CCC, which is when all hell broke loose.
“She was arrested and her premises raided where CCC campaign material was found. She says she had to bribe her out so as to secure her freedom. Right now we do not know her whereabouts as straight after she was released she just disappeared together with her son Thabo Moyo Ndlovu and her nephew Nimrod Sibanda who were both staying with her, and the restaurant is now a white elephant, we do not know where they are hence our appeal to anyone to assist us in locating them,” said the relative.
“What pains us is that this business was a source of living for the family and she would host a lot of people, she even employed a number of locals who have now been rendered unemployed,” she added.
Police sources however revealed that neighbouring business people had reported Moyo to the police for allegedly causing a nuisance through her alleged activities.
“It was alleged that she was using her popular spot to invite members of the opposition to hold meetings and also distributing various materials which were reportedly castigating the government,” said the police source.
