adminNokusa Masuku Court Reporter
A 67-year-old Bulawayo man who was assaulted by three army recruits in July last year died earlier this week and the courts have amended the soldiers’ attempted murder charge to murder.
Rodger Nzima died at his home in Pumula suburb sometime this week after failing to recover from head injuries he sustained during the assault.
Nzima was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital after the gruesome assault.
He was later discharged but his condition deteriorated at home and he was readmitted on February 2, this year. Nzima was discharged on Sunday before his death.
Ernest Kantande, 25, Mthulisi Mlawuzi, 22, and Vincent Magumise, 25, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Western Commonage Provincial magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo.
They were remanded in custody to March 4.
Prosecuting Mufaro Mageza told the court that on July 3, last year, around 7PM, Nzima was on his way home along Dombo road in Pumula when he came across the trio.
The soldiers were allegedly assaulting their girlfriends after a misunderstanding.
The now deceased Nzima tried to stop the assault.
This angered the soldiers who attacked Nzima and assaulted him with a stone once on the head.
Nzima fell down and started bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The matter was reported at Pumula Police Station while Nzima was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted.
Mageza said Nzima was later discharged but his condition did not improve.
“He was given medication to take while at home. The doctor advised his relatives to bring him back if his condition worsened,” said Mageza.
The court heard that on February 2 this year, his condition deteriorated and he was readmitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.
“Nzima was admitted until Sunday when he was discharged. After he was discharged, his condition worsened and he passed away,” said Mageza.
Postmortem results indicate that Nzima died due to injuries sustained during the assault.
Online Reporter