Moreblessing Ali's suspected killer's judgement set for November 27

The High Court is anticipated to deliver a verdict in the case of Pius Jamba Mukandi, who stands accused of the brutal murder of Moreblessing Ali, an activist from the Citizens Coalition of Change (CCC), in June of the previous year.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the judgment day was rescheduled to allow the State to present its closing arguments.

Jamba vehemently denied the charges during his trial, despite the testimony of seven witnesses, including his mother Lina Mukandi and sister Mercy.

While maintaining that on the day of Ali's murder, he had pre-planned a journey to his mother's rural home and had informed her, his mother contradicted his statement, stating she was unaware of his whereabouts.

Jamba also refuted the accusation of killing Ali, asserting that he was sacrificed to alleviate political tensions in the Nyatsime area following the activist's death. He claimed to have been coerced into confessing to the crime and denied any knowledge of Ali.

The court heard that Ali was last seen on May 24, 2022, at a Night Club in Nyatsime, allegedly having an altercation with Jamba.

"On May 24, 2022, around 22:20, the accused was at Chibhanguza Night Club, Nyatsime, Beatrice, where the now-deceased Moreblessing Ali was with Kirina Mayironi.

"The accused, armed with a catapult, alleged that the deceased's dog was hindering his movement and responsible for the loss of his money," the court was told.

It is alleged that Ali and her friend Mayironi left the Night Club, and as they were heading home, Jamba attacked Ali. Mayironi tried to intervene, but Mukandi struck her with a stone propelled by a catapult, causing an open wound.

Mukandi then positioned himself near the Night Club, throwing stones and bricks to prevent anyone from approaching or rescuing Ali.

"He pelted stones from the catapult and threw bricks directed at the night club so that nobody would manage to apprehend him or rescue the now-deceased," the prosecutor alleged.

The State contended that Jamba took Ali to an undisclosed location, where he caused her death by striking her with an unknown instrument and strangling her with her trousers. Subsequently, he dismembered her body and disposed of the parts in a disused well on Plot 321 Dunnotar Farm, Beatrice, owned by his mother Laina Mukandi.

Jamba then went on the run, and Ali's dismembered body was discovered on June 11, 2022, by Mukandi's mother due to a strong odor emanating from the well.

High Court Justice Esther Muremba is presiding over the case, with Michael Mugabe and Terrence Mukuze serving as prosecutors, and Jamba being represented by his lawyer, Garikai Mhishi.