Cousins beats-up man, torch hut over debt

TWO cousins from Gweru allegedly beat up a man in front of his wife and children over a debt and attempted to burn him inside his hut.

Tinos Zhira (23) from Gweru and Pheneas Mutombe (31) of Havana East, Shurugwi, appeared before Gweru provincial Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing attempted murder charges.

The pair pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to December 18.

Prosecuting, Mr Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that on July 7 at around 7PM Zhira and Mutombe went to William Tabe's homestead in Mvuma while he was having supper with his family.

"The accused persons called out the complainant's name and he went out to welcome them. Tabe led them back into the kitchen hut where his wife and three children were having their evening meal," said Mr Mavhiza.

"As the complainant was reaching for a plastic stool to give to the two accused persons, Mutombe struck him with a metal bar once on the head and he fell to the ground. Zhira shouted at the complainant that they had come for their money before he picked up the metal bar from the ground and used it to hit the complainant on his head."

"The complainant lay helplessly on the floor while his wife and children fled from the kitchen hut and stood outside."

The court heard that the two accused persons got out of the hut before torching it while the complainant was inside.

Tabe, however, managed to crawl out of the hut and went to seek refuge at a neighbour's house.

"As a result of the attack the complainant sustained severe injuries and was admitted to Mvuma General Hospital. The value of goods that were destroyed is $989," said Mr Mavhiza.