Businessmen up for kidnap, attempted murder

TWO businessmen from Bulilima district in Matabeleland South Province have landed themselves in trouble with the law after they allegedly kidnapped a fellow businessman from the same area and severely assaulted him leaving him unconscious.

Andrea Nduna Dube (46) and Menzi Dube (28), of Ndolwane Village, Madlambuzi, who operate a hardware and grocery shops at Ndolwane Business Centre are facing charges of attempted murder and kidnapping.

The complainant in the matter is Mr Samoe Dube, who also operates a number of grocery shops in the same area.

Dube and Menzi Dube pleaded not guilty to the charges when their trial opened before Mrs Judith Zuyu at the regional court in Bulawayo.

The two were remanded in custody to Friday this week for judgment.

Dube and Menzi Dube are being represented by Mr Tanaka Muganyi of Dube, Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners.

It is alleged that on 5 January at about 8am, the complainant Mr Dube was at his shop with a shop attendant, Ms Nozithelo Ncube when Dube and Menzi Dube arrived.

The court heard that the two asked to talk to Mr Dube in private and started accusing him of denigrating them.

Dube and Menzi Dube who were now joined by Jabhisile Dube who is still at large, allegedly started assaulting the complainant with fists and also used an unknown object to hit him on the head.

The court heard that they dragged him away from the shops and tied his hands and feet and threw him into a vehicle with South African registration numbers which was being driven by Dube.

It is alleged that they drove to the complainant's homestead and told him to bid his family farewell because they were going to kill him.

Dube, Menzi Dube and Sibanda allegedly drove towards a bush near Thekwane River where they allegedly stripped Mr Dube naked and continued to assault him.

The court was told that the assault only stopped when Dube's phone rang as it appeared that the person on the other end advised the three not to kill the complainant.

The three allegedly put Mr Dube back into the vehicle and drove towards Lady Baring Hospital where they allegedly dumped him.

Mr Dube was later referred to Plumtree Hospital.

A report was made to the police leading to Dube and Menzi Dube's arrest while Sibanda is on the run.

In defence, Dube and Menzi Dube said they were fighting with Mr Dube and had no intention to kill him as evidenced by the fact that they took him to hospital after assaulting him.

Mr Dube told the court that his alleged assailants used a hammer to assault him and he sustained a deep laceration on the head.

Mr Tinashe Dzipe is appearing for the State.