The Sunday Mail
. . . that man went with my textbook
An emotional Mr Rueben Chugumira, a former inmate who served 22 years in jail for armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms, was released last week. He narrated to The Sunday Mail Extra how he first met the late fugitive, Mr Stephen Chidhumo, in prison. He also chronicled how, for a long time, he interacted with the late infamous criminal.
Mr Chidhumo was one of the last criminals to be hanged in Zimbabwe. A gun-toting robber, Mr Chidhumo was hanged 20 years after committing a spate of armed robberies. Mr Chigumira also revealed the notorious armed robber’s last moments. Read on:
Reuben Chigumira
IT remains one of the most disturbing moments of my life. I watched helplessly as Stephen Chidhumo was being led away – never to see him again. Prior to his demise, we studied the Bible and prayed together, we were very close.
l vividly remember my first encounter with the late serial robber. When he came, he had already been sentenced to death. He was grief-stricken, remorseful and fearful of the impending death.
I ministered to him, prayed with him and gave him a Bible. ln the four months that l counselled and taught Chidhumo the Bible, the feared criminal repented and dedicated his life to Jesus Christ.
Chidhumo later developed into a “prayer warrior” who, despite the impending doom, never gave up on life. Two days before he was hanged, we received our “O” Level results.
Chidhumo had passes in Geography and Commerce. Somehow, he strongly believed that he was at one time going to be pardoned. He was a totally changed man when he was summoned before the hangman’s noose.
However, Chidhumo did not return the Geography textbook that l had given him as he was preparing for his final examinations. I guess that is my present to him. He can read it wherever he is.
Chidhumo also became a preacher, with Galatians 5: 7 being his favourite verse. The verse reads, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”
As a result of the teachings and prayers, Chidhumo was not fearful of death during his last moments on earth.
He stared death in the face and was not scared. He was our hero when it comes to preaching since his deeds resulted in a number of inmates dedicating their lives to the Lord.
l would have spared Chidhumo from the gallows if l had the powers.
Like I said, we were close. He was a changed man. If I had the powers, I would have definitely spared him.
