News / Local
Byo MDC-T councillor wanted the body parts for ritual purposes, court told
24 Aug 2011 at 11:38hrs | Views
AN MDC-T councillor asked for the tongue, brains and fingers of a Bulawayo man who was marked for murder in a property wrangle, a court heard on Tuesday.
Monica Lubimbi, 60, the MDC-T councillor for Ward 29, is charged with seven others over the murder of Mgoli Majola who was tied to a tree and his head slit open with a machete before being dismembered, NewZim has reported.
All eight suspects – Lubimbi, Hloniphani Mugayo, 29, Pisi Nxumalo, 56, Nkosilathi Khumalo, 27, Ntando Moyo, 21, Opah Moyo, 59, Busani Sibanda, 30, and Xolani Ncube, 30, -- appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Abednico Ndebele on Tuesday for a confirmation hearing on their warned and cautioned statements.
Only Ntando Moyo and Ncube recanted their statements at the hearing, arguing that they gave the statements while under severe police beating.
The group will stand trial on September 6.
Prosecuting, Malvin Nzombe told the court that Khumalo and Majola have been fighting over the ownership of House Number 2147 Emakhandeni since 2004. The matter is currently before the High Court.
Prosecutors say Khumalo tried to resolve the dispute by holding talks with Majola. Nxumalo, Sibanda, Councillor Lubimbi and a witness, Zibusiso Sibanda, were present, fighting his corner. The talks were unsuccessful.
On July 27, it is alleged that Nxumalo, Khumalo and Mugayo hatched a plan to murder Majola and take over the house.
They allegedly communicated the plan to Lubimbi who prosecutors charge "supported the idea and requested for the tongue, brains and fingers of Majola once the plan succeeded".
Ntando Moyo, Sibanda, Ncube and Mugayo were allegedly hired to execute the murder, the court heard.
Opah Moyo, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, allegedly assisted in kidnapping Majola by posing as a police officer.
She arrived at Majola's home and told her he was under arrest for impregnating his MAID. Khumalo, Ntando Moyo, Opah Moyo, Sibanda, Ncube and Mugayo arrived shortly after and told Majola he was being taken to Entumbane Police Station.
Instead, prosecutors say, Majola was driven to the woods in Richmond suburb where he was handcuffed to a tree.
Prosecutors say he was slashed twice on the head with a machete and left to die.
It is alleged the men fled the scene using Ncube's Nissan truck with him at the wheel.
A day later on July 28, it is alleged, Khumalo and Mugayo went back to the scene and removed the tongue, fingers and brains from Majola's body. They wrapped the body parts in a plastic bag and took them to Lubimbi's house where they allegedly handed them over. Prosecutors say Lubimbi wanted the body parts for ritual purposes.
Lubimbi has been given a lawyer by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Monica Lubimbi, 60, the MDC-T councillor for Ward 29, is charged with seven others over the murder of Mgoli Majola who was tied to a tree and his head slit open with a machete before being dismembered, NewZim has reported.
All eight suspects – Lubimbi, Hloniphani Mugayo, 29, Pisi Nxumalo, 56, Nkosilathi Khumalo, 27, Ntando Moyo, 21, Opah Moyo, 59, Busani Sibanda, 30, and Xolani Ncube, 30, -- appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Abednico Ndebele on Tuesday for a confirmation hearing on their warned and cautioned statements.
Only Ntando Moyo and Ncube recanted their statements at the hearing, arguing that they gave the statements while under severe police beating.
The group will stand trial on September 6.
Prosecuting, Malvin Nzombe told the court that Khumalo and Majola have been fighting over the ownership of House Number 2147 Emakhandeni since 2004. The matter is currently before the High Court.
Prosecutors say Khumalo tried to resolve the dispute by holding talks with Majola. Nxumalo, Sibanda, Councillor Lubimbi and a witness, Zibusiso Sibanda, were present, fighting his corner. The talks were unsuccessful.
They allegedly communicated the plan to Lubimbi who prosecutors charge "supported the idea and requested for the tongue, brains and fingers of Majola once the plan succeeded".
Ntando Moyo, Sibanda, Ncube and Mugayo were allegedly hired to execute the murder, the court heard.
Opah Moyo, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, allegedly assisted in kidnapping Majola by posing as a police officer.
She arrived at Majola's home and told her he was under arrest for impregnating his MAID. Khumalo, Ntando Moyo, Opah Moyo, Sibanda, Ncube and Mugayo arrived shortly after and told Majola he was being taken to Entumbane Police Station.
Instead, prosecutors say, Majola was driven to the woods in Richmond suburb where he was handcuffed to a tree.
Prosecutors say he was slashed twice on the head with a machete and left to die.
It is alleged the men fled the scene using Ncube's Nissan truck with him at the wheel.
A day later on July 28, it is alleged, Khumalo and Mugayo went back to the scene and removed the tongue, fingers and brains from Majola's body. They wrapped the body parts in a plastic bag and took them to Lubimbi's house where they allegedly handed them over. Prosecutors say Lubimbi wanted the body parts for ritual purposes.
Lubimbi has been given a lawyer by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Source - newzim
