20 years- jail package for Beitbridge picnic murder trio

The court heard that the 33-year-old married woman of Ruvimbo Phase 1 in Chinhoyi, was allegedly abducted by Felix Mumba and sexually assaulted .

Mashudu Mambo

THREE men from Beitbridge who connived and struck to death a man who was having a picnic with his girlfriend in a bush were sentenced to 20 years in prison each.

Brian Mukosi, Blessing Itai Chiri and Dereck Ndou appeared before High Court Judge Justice Bongani Ndlovu facing a charge of murder.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge but were convicted and sentenced.

The court heard that on 10 September 2020 at around 6pm, the deceased, Andy Masuka was with his girlfriend Simukai Mhike intending to have a picnic in the bush.

The trio saw the couple relaxing in a grey Toyota Allion vehicle and they advanced towards them. The deceased spotted them, sensed danger and started the engine of the vehicle intending to drive off the scene.

One of the culprits then struck the deceased once with a stone, hitting him on the right side of the head just above the right ear.

The deceased then fell unconscious and the trio stole a Samsung cellphone, a Huawei Y5 and R170.

He was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital where he later died at around 1 am.

Investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of the trio.