'Ruthless' landlord's son kills tenant

HARARE - A 30-year-old man Simbarashe Chimuka allegedly assaulted his father's tenant Clemence Chitete with bricks and fatally burnt him with a hot electric iron before stealing his  vehicle and property worth $8 000, a Court heard.

It is alleged that on November 5 this year, Chimuka went to number 83 Blakeway Drive, Belvedere in Harare where his father's tenant resided.

The court heard that he scaled a precast wall before breaking the kitchen door of the cottage where Mr Chitete was renting.

It is alleged that he then attacked Chitete with a stone, a brick and a hot electric iron, resulting in him (Chitete) sustaining severe injuries and burns leading to his death.

It is alleged that Chimuka went away with Chitete's 32-inch television, two cellphones, an HP laptop and a Toyota Corolla registration number ADE 5146.

Two days later, Chimuka was arrested in Victoria Falls trying to escape to Zambia and was found in possession of the deceased's neck chain, driver's licence and house keys.

Chimuka later led the police to the recovery of the vehicle, laptop and cellphones, a blood-stained brick and clothes he was allegedly putting on while committing the offence. Chimuka later made indications at the scene of the crime.

Chimuka appeared in court facing murder charges yesterday and prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa opposed bail because he is facing a third schedule offence.

Harare magistrate Milton Serima advised Chimuka to apply for bail at the High Court.