Dembare fans seek discharge

LAWYERS for the nine suspected Dynamos FC supporters charged with the alleged murder of a Highlanders FC soccer fan about a fortnight ago have indicated that they would challenge charges levelled against their clients and apply for refusal of further remand.

Thembelenkosini Hloli (24) died after being allegedly stabbed by Dynamos supporters for smashing the window of a Toyota Ipsum, together with his two friends Nkosiphile Lusinga (19) and Decent Sibanda (26) in the aftermath of the match that the Harare side won 1-0.

However, the Dynamos supporters' lawyers want their clients discharged arguing that the nine got to the scene when Hloli was already dying.

"We are going to apply for refusal of remand on the next remand date. We are also going to apply for an exemption on the charge of murder because indications are that our clients arrived at the scene when Hloli was already dying," one of the lawyers Tanaka Munganyi said.

"In fact, we gave notice to the court that we will make such an application when the magistrate made her ruling on Friday granting them bail."

The nine Dembare supporters are Emmason Msipa (44), Honest Makhala (28), Onisimo Maphosa (33), Rogder Dye "Murehwa" Trechsen (42), Pretty Ndora (27), Margaret Mpofu (23), George Chapindura (43), Nandi Nyoni (31) and Chamas Misiwo (29).

Msipa granted them $50 bail each and remanded them to September 5.

Hloli of Sizinda was allegedly stabbed in the stomach at Renkini long-distance bus terminus after being chased by suspected Dynamos supporters.

His friends Lusinga and Sibanda appeared in court last Thursday facing a charge of malicious damage to property after Misiwo, a police officer based at the Hwange Traffic section, reported them for the post-match skirmishes.

The two pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded out of custody to August 28 on $50 bail each.