Assault suspects granted US$150 bail each

TWO men from Tsholotsho who allegedly fatally assaulted a neighbour have been released on US$150 bail each.
Mqondisi Moyo (25) and Livious Ncube (42) from Gotshane Line under Chief Mahlathini allegedly fatally assaulted Gerald Moyo.

The two accused who are facing a murder charge, were granted bail by Tsholotsho provincial magistrate Mr Thomas Gurajena. The pair was ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at their given address until the matter is finalised.

They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the Clerk of Court at Tsholotsho Magistrate Courts and to report once a week at Tsholotsho Police Station. Mr Gurajena said there were no compelling reasons to deny the two accused bail.

“The State did not oppose bail. From submissions made during the bail hearing no compelling reasons were found to deny the two accused persons bail,” he said.

It is the State’s case that on May 8 at around 2pm, the now deceased was drinking beer at Gotshane Business Centre in Tsholotsho together with other patrons when Ms Noreen Moyo, the sister-in-law to one of the accused persons arrived at the shops.

Ms Moyo enquired about her stolen chickens and the now deceased, who was drunk interjected . A misunderstanding arose between the two resulting in the now-deceased insulting Ms Moyo.

“This did not go down well with Ms Moyo who left the shop and proceeded to one of the accused’s place of residence where she reported the matter to Mr Joel Mkandla, the brother-in-law to the deceased,” read court papers.

Moyo proceeded to her place of residence and reported the matter to Moyo and Ncube. The two accused persons then proceeded to the deceased’s place of residence where they allegedly assaulted him with a log thrice on the right ribs and open hands twice on the face.

According to court papers, soon after the attack, Gerald started complaining of pain and died the following day. A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Moyo and Ncube. The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) for post-mortem.

The State is being represented by Ms Netsai Toga.