News / Regional
Bishop defrauds church member, kills State witness
15 Apr 2013 at 06:54hrs | Views
A bishop with an apostolic sect, Actor Misomali, who is also a businessman in Victoria Falls, on Friday appeared in court for allegedly murdering a woman who was due to testify in court in a fraud case involving one of his congregants.
Bishop Misomali (39), who owns Maduka Taxis, was jointly charged with his congregant, Talent Msimanga (43), for the murder of Sibalekile Sibanda when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Archibald Dingana. The name of Misomali's church was not mentioned in State papers or in court.
The two accused, both of Mkhosana suburb, were not formally charged. They were remanded in custody to May 3 and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Takunda Ndorowi told the court that Msimanga was facing charges of fraud involving multiple selling of housing stands in the resort town. The now deceased Sibanda was a State witness in the matter, as she was allegedly defrauded by Msimanga in purchasing a stand.
However, on March 28 this year, Misomali and Msimanga called Sibanda to travel to Victoria Falls from the town where she resided, which was not mentioned in the request for remand form, which is before the court. They allegedly duped her that they wanted to give her back her money.
Sibanda complied and proceeded to Victoria Falls. On arrival she met the two who allegedly forced her to sign an affidavit writing off their liability of $3,400 and Msimanga took custody of the affidavit.
They then allegedly bundled her into Misomali's taxi and took her to a bushy area between Mkhosana suburb and Victoria Falls Farm School. On arrival at the scene they are said to have hit her with a hard object on the head, causing a skull depression and excessive bleeding. Sibanda died on the spot and the pair allegedly dumped the body there.
However, it is alleged, Msimanga took possession of Sibanda's cellphones. He went on to use the phones to send messages to his contacts. The body was later discovered by a passerby who informed the police.
Investigations led to Msimanga's arrest and he implicated Misomali. Sibanda's cellphones were recovered from Msimanga.
Bishop Misomali (39), who owns Maduka Taxis, was jointly charged with his congregant, Talent Msimanga (43), for the murder of Sibalekile Sibanda when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Archibald Dingana. The name of Misomali's church was not mentioned in State papers or in court.
The two accused, both of Mkhosana suburb, were not formally charged. They were remanded in custody to May 3 and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Takunda Ndorowi told the court that Msimanga was facing charges of fraud involving multiple selling of housing stands in the resort town. The now deceased Sibanda was a State witness in the matter, as she was allegedly defrauded by Msimanga in purchasing a stand.
Sibanda complied and proceeded to Victoria Falls. On arrival she met the two who allegedly forced her to sign an affidavit writing off their liability of $3,400 and Msimanga took custody of the affidavit.
They then allegedly bundled her into Misomali's taxi and took her to a bushy area between Mkhosana suburb and Victoria Falls Farm School. On arrival at the scene they are said to have hit her with a hard object on the head, causing a skull depression and excessive bleeding. Sibanda died on the spot and the pair allegedly dumped the body there.
However, it is alleged, Msimanga took possession of Sibanda's cellphones. He went on to use the phones to send messages to his contacts. The body was later discovered by a passerby who informed the police.
Investigations led to Msimanga's arrest and he implicated Misomali. Sibanda's cellphones were recovered from Msimanga.
Source - newsd
