News / National
Suspected maid killer applies for bail
25 Feb 2016 at 05:55hrs | Views
A MAN from Bulawayo who allegedly stabbed his family's maid 10 times using a kitchen knife after she turned down his sexual advances, is seeking bail pending trial.
Vincent Chikowore, 24, of Gwabalanda suburb, has filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as the respondent.
Chikowore, who claimed that he fatally stabbed Dudzai Hungwe after she had seduced him, argued that there were no compelling reasons to justify his continued detention at Khami Remand Prison.
"It's accepted and conceded that the allegations against the applicant are serious but contended that this alone doesn't justify denial of bail pending trial. Applicant prays that he be admitted to bail as there are no compelling reasons to justify his continued detention," said Chikowore's lawyers Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners.
The lawyers argued that the ends of justice would not be prejudiced by Chikowore's release and challenged the state to prove the existence of the reasons justifying their client's continued stay in remand prison.
Chikowore seeks an order that compels him to deposit $100 as bail and to continue residing at his given address pending the finalisation of the matter.
As part of the bail conditions, the applicant is also offering to surrender his passport and to report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station twice a week as well as not interfere with state witnesses.
Sifiso Sibanda, the prosecutor, opposed the bail application, arguing that there was no guarantee that Chikowore would not abscond if granted bail.
"It's respectfully submitted that the granting of bail pending trial to the applicant wouldn't be in the best interest of justice. The state has a strong case against applicant and with that knowledge he isn't likely to stand trial if granted bail. Wherefore the respondent prays for the dismissal of the application for bail pending trial," said Sibanda.
Chikowore and his mother were tenants at the house they had moved into hours earlier on the day he allegedly killed the maid.
He allegedly asked their maid to have sex with him at around 1PM on December 31, 2015, when his mother had gone into the city to see her daughter off to South Africa.
The maid refused.
Chikowore was angered by Hungwe's decision and tried to force her.
Hungwe then reached for the knife in a bid to scare him away and a fight ensued which resulted in Hungwe cutting his fingers.
Chikowore then grabbed the knife and stabbed her 10 times and she died instantly.
When Chikowore's mother returned, she discovered that the maid had been killed. There was a pool of blood in the bathroom where the maid's body was lying.
A report was made to the police and Chikowore was arrested a few days later having been on the run since New Year's Day.
Vincent Chikowore, 24, of Gwabalanda suburb, has filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as the respondent.
Chikowore, who claimed that he fatally stabbed Dudzai Hungwe after she had seduced him, argued that there were no compelling reasons to justify his continued detention at Khami Remand Prison.
"It's accepted and conceded that the allegations against the applicant are serious but contended that this alone doesn't justify denial of bail pending trial. Applicant prays that he be admitted to bail as there are no compelling reasons to justify his continued detention," said Chikowore's lawyers Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners.
The lawyers argued that the ends of justice would not be prejudiced by Chikowore's release and challenged the state to prove the existence of the reasons justifying their client's continued stay in remand prison.
Chikowore seeks an order that compels him to deposit $100 as bail and to continue residing at his given address pending the finalisation of the matter.
As part of the bail conditions, the applicant is also offering to surrender his passport and to report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station twice a week as well as not interfere with state witnesses.
Sifiso Sibanda, the prosecutor, opposed the bail application, arguing that there was no guarantee that Chikowore would not abscond if granted bail.
"It's respectfully submitted that the granting of bail pending trial to the applicant wouldn't be in the best interest of justice. The state has a strong case against applicant and with that knowledge he isn't likely to stand trial if granted bail. Wherefore the respondent prays for the dismissal of the application for bail pending trial," said Sibanda.
Chikowore and his mother were tenants at the house they had moved into hours earlier on the day he allegedly killed the maid.
He allegedly asked their maid to have sex with him at around 1PM on December 31, 2015, when his mother had gone into the city to see her daughter off to South Africa.
The maid refused.
Chikowore was angered by Hungwe's decision and tried to force her.
Hungwe then reached for the knife in a bid to scare him away and a fight ensued which resulted in Hungwe cutting his fingers.
Chikowore then grabbed the knife and stabbed her 10 times and she died instantly.
When Chikowore's mother returned, she discovered that the maid had been killed. There was a pool of blood in the bathroom where the maid's body was lying.
A report was made to the police and Chikowore was arrested a few days later having been on the run since New Year's Day.
Source - chronicle
