News / Africa
11 Zimbabweans remanded for murder in Botswana
14 Apr 2012 at 09:48hrs | Views
GABORONE, Botswana - Eleven Zimbabweans were arraigned before a Botswana Magistrate, Rebaone Mmereki, recently at Extension II Magistrate Court for a single count of murder.
The accused persons, Hitler Thomas, Magwenze Kumbirai, Loveboy Chanaka, Mxolisi Mpofu, Thabani Moyo, Nyakujezwa Dereck, Tawanda Zete, Tafadzwa Kazingizi, Jervas Kadzingidzi, Simbarashe Machungwe and John Mutamangira, are alleged to have murdered fellow Zimbabwean national, Clear Champion Dube on the 11th of September 2011 at Old Naledi location before dumping his body at Gaborone dam on the same day.
The prosecutor, Inspector Tshepanang Modise, informed Mmegi that on the day of the offence, the eleven accused persons allegedly followed the deceased to his place of abode at Old Naledi where they assaulted him.
The assault is said to have resulted in his death. Modise said the deceased's body was found in a badly decomposed state at Gaborone dam. Police records reveal that after assaulting the deceased, the accused persons put his unconscious body in a van.
They allegedly claimed that they were taking him to Urban Police Station where he had a case of malicious damage to property against the first accused, Hitler Thomas. Thomas was said to owe the deceased an undisclosed sum of money.
Thomas is alleged to have proceeded to the police station where he withdrew his case against the deceased, claiming that Dube had paid for the property he was reported to have destroyed. "When the deceased was reported missing after some days, the accused persons claimed that he was in Zimbabwe, saying that they have been communicating with him," Modise said.
He further revealed that Thomas and Kumbirai have been granted bail by the High Court. He added that the matter has been dragging on for over six months as the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has not yet delegated a prosecutor to handle the case.
"We are hopeful that during the next mention, a prosecutor will be available to address the needs of the accused persons, including bail applications, following assessment of evidence compiled by the investigating officers," he said. Another mention date was set for April 24, 2012
The accused persons, Hitler Thomas, Magwenze Kumbirai, Loveboy Chanaka, Mxolisi Mpofu, Thabani Moyo, Nyakujezwa Dereck, Tawanda Zete, Tafadzwa Kazingizi, Jervas Kadzingidzi, Simbarashe Machungwe and John Mutamangira, are alleged to have murdered fellow Zimbabwean national, Clear Champion Dube on the 11th of September 2011 at Old Naledi location before dumping his body at Gaborone dam on the same day.
The prosecutor, Inspector Tshepanang Modise, informed Mmegi that on the day of the offence, the eleven accused persons allegedly followed the deceased to his place of abode at Old Naledi where they assaulted him.
The assault is said to have resulted in his death. Modise said the deceased's body was found in a badly decomposed state at Gaborone dam. Police records reveal that after assaulting the deceased, the accused persons put his unconscious body in a van.
Thomas is alleged to have proceeded to the police station where he withdrew his case against the deceased, claiming that Dube had paid for the property he was reported to have destroyed. "When the deceased was reported missing after some days, the accused persons claimed that he was in Zimbabwe, saying that they have been communicating with him," Modise said.
He further revealed that Thomas and Kumbirai have been granted bail by the High Court. He added that the matter has been dragging on for over six months as the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has not yet delegated a prosecutor to handle the case.
"We are hopeful that during the next mention, a prosecutor will be available to address the needs of the accused persons, including bail applications, following assessment of evidence compiled by the investigating officers," he said. Another mention date was set for April 24, 2012
Source - news
