News / National
MDC-T boss in court for petrol-bombing Zanu-PF rival
20 Mar 2013 at 04:55hrs | Views
MDC-T secretary for Headlands Samson Magumura appeared at Rusape magistrates courts on Monday facing charges of petrol-bombing and seriously injuring a Zanu-PF official and burning his vehicle.
Magumura was not asked to plead to attempted murder and malicious damage to property when he was hauled before Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Shingi Mutiro.
Rusape area public prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira opposed the granting of bail for Magumura, prompting Mr Mutiro to refer him to the High Court for bail application.
When the State is opposed to bail in such serious offences, the magistrate does not have any jurisdiction to entertain the bail hearing.
According to State papers, Magumura, who resides in Village A Tandi area, clashed with Zanu-PF cell leader for Ward 12 in Headlands Mr William Chapepa and threatened to "fix him".
Magumura and Mr Chapepa are aspiring councillors for Ward 12 in Headlands under their respective party tickets.
Magumura allegedly made the threats on February 13. On Tuesday last week, around 2am, Magumura and two others still at large allegedly connived to kill Mr Chapepa and to damage his Nissan Vanette kombi.
Armed with 2x5 litre bottles of petrol, a machete, two long copper wire pieces, strings, a kitchen knife, newspapers, paraffin lamps and boxes of matches, they pounced on Mr Chapepa's homestead.
They allegedly sprinkled some petrol on the front of the kombi and placed a petrol bottle directly under the vehicle fuel tank before setting it on fire.
Mr Chapepa, who was sleeping inside the house, woke up after hearing a loud bang and peeped through the window. He then jumped through the window and saw three men including Magumura running away.
While Mr Chapepa was struggling to put out the fire, it is the State's case that Magumura approached him brandishing a machete and another petrol bomb. He allegedly threw the petrol bomb at Mr Chapepa, setting him ablaze and inflicting serious injuries on his legs.
Mr Chapepa was taken to Rusape General Hospital where he received treatment.
Magumura was remanded in custody to April 5 when the State is expected to provide him with a trial date.
Magumura was not asked to plead to attempted murder and malicious damage to property when he was hauled before Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Shingi Mutiro.
Rusape area public prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira opposed the granting of bail for Magumura, prompting Mr Mutiro to refer him to the High Court for bail application.
When the State is opposed to bail in such serious offences, the magistrate does not have any jurisdiction to entertain the bail hearing.
According to State papers, Magumura, who resides in Village A Tandi area, clashed with Zanu-PF cell leader for Ward 12 in Headlands Mr William Chapepa and threatened to "fix him".
Magumura and Mr Chapepa are aspiring councillors for Ward 12 in Headlands under their respective party tickets.
Armed with 2x5 litre bottles of petrol, a machete, two long copper wire pieces, strings, a kitchen knife, newspapers, paraffin lamps and boxes of matches, they pounced on Mr Chapepa's homestead.
They allegedly sprinkled some petrol on the front of the kombi and placed a petrol bottle directly under the vehicle fuel tank before setting it on fire.
Mr Chapepa, who was sleeping inside the house, woke up after hearing a loud bang and peeped through the window. He then jumped through the window and saw three men including Magumura running away.
While Mr Chapepa was struggling to put out the fire, it is the State's case that Magumura approached him brandishing a machete and another petrol bomb. He allegedly threw the petrol bomb at Mr Chapepa, setting him ablaze and inflicting serious injuries on his legs.
Mr Chapepa was taken to Rusape General Hospital where he received treatment.
Magumura was remanded in custody to April 5 when the State is expected to provide him with a trial date.
Source - TH
