Soldier attempts to kill magistrate

Harare provincial magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe last week escaped death by a whisker after a soldier accosted him while he was seated in his car outside the court building and attempted to strangle him using handcuffs.

Mr Chikwekwe screamed for help, attracting the attention of police officers and prison guards at the court who rushed to rescue him, but struggled to loosen Blessing Tongofa's tight grip on his throat.

Tongofa (29), who is attached to the army's Msasa base workshop, was shouting: "Tauya kuzosunungura nyika. Hatisi kuda kuita zvekutamba" while he was assaulting Mr Chikwekwe.

After the police and prison guards subdued Tongofa, they took him to the police post where he was charged with attempted murder.
It was not clear why Tongofa committed the offence.

Tongofa yesterday appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody to August 27.
Mr Mahwe advised him to apply for bail at the High Court due to the seriousness of his offence.

Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira alleged that on August 8, Tongofa went to the Harare Magistrates' Court and proceeded to the provincial magistrate's reception and asked to see Mr Chikwekwe.

Mr Chikwekwe was seated in his car outside the court building when the receptionist called him informing him about Tongofa's                                                                        presence.

It is the State's case that Mr Chikwekwe advised the receptionist to tell Tongofa to come to the car.
When Tongofa came to where Mr Chikwekwe was parked, he grabbed him by the throat, Miss Mashavira alleged.

Tongofa allegedly tried to handcuff Mr Chikwekwe, who was screaming for help.