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Abel Zhakata
Post Correspondent
TEN Nyanga villagers are facing murder charges following a nasty incident in which they allegedly assaulted a neighbour whom they accused of being behind the disappearance of a child in the area.
The suspects appeared before Mutare High Court Judge, Justice Isaac Muzenda last week.
They were facing murder charges as defined in Section 47 (i) (a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Antony Chimangumangu, Richard Nyazvigo, Nesbert Matengambiri, Robson Kamuruko, Rosemary Matengambiri, Magret Samukange, Magret Chigumira, Kenneth Kamuruko and Doreen Mapako allegedly fatally assaulted Matrida Munyuke on December 26, 2019, in the full glare of her husband and children at their homestead in Village 32A, Ruchera, under Chief Saunyama’s area.
Principal public prosecutor, Ms Jane-Rose Matsikidze said: “The accused persons and the deceased were not related, but stayed in the same village.
“ In December 2018, Richard Nyazvigo’s son, Divine Nyazvigo, went missing while herding goats with the other boys. By December 26, 2019, his fate remained unknown.
“On the fateful day, a meeting of locals was called, but the deceased and her husband did not attend. Some villagers were sent to call them, but they refused to attend the meeting. On the same day, the suspects violently confronted the deceased and her family. The mob accused Munyuke’s family of being behind Divine’s disappearance.”
Sensing danger, the Munyuke’s hid in their house, but the suspects broke in.
The deceased’s husband armed himself with a rifle and fired warning shots into the air to disperse the attackers, but they kept charging forward.
The suspects managed to disarm Munyuke’s husband and assaulted his family using fists, sjamboks and sticks.
The assault only stopped after police arrived at the Munyuke homestead, with the suspects fleeing from the scene.
Munyuke and her husband were taken to Nyanga District Hospital where she succumbed to the injuries sustained from the attack the following day. A post-mortem examination concluded that her death was a result of acute renal failure and soft tissue haematoma secondary to assault.
The trial continues today (Friday), with the State calling nine witnesses to testify.
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