Xenophobia victim up for murder

A 25 year old man from Chikombedzi, who is thought to have returned to Zimbabwe as a result of recent xenophobia attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, has appeared in court facing murder charges.

Liberty Manjoro was not asked to plead when he appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Geraldine Mutsoto, facing murder and attempted murder charges.

He was remanded in custody to 17 July for further remand.

Prosecutor Prosper Chipangura told the court that on 18 June this year, barely three days after Manjoro returned home from South Africa, he ambushed Stephen Chikuchani who was coming from a beer drink.

Manjoro stabbed Chikuchani five times on the back, neck and chest with an okapi knife killing him instantly before taking away his possessions.

The court also heard that a few days later Manjoro approached Onias Chibhomise who was herding cattle at Gondweni village and asked him if he had seen his black beast of which the herd boy said no.

Manjoro then drew closer to the herd boy and grabbed him by the neck before stabbing him three times on the neck using his okapi knife and vanished into the wilderness.

Chibhomise managed to walk home for assistance and was rushed to Chiredzi hospital for treatment and a police report was made and investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of Manjoro.