Vusumuzi Dube
Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THREE men who have allegedly engaged in a reign of terror in Bulawayo suburbs armed with axes, machetes and knives were last Monday remanded in custody after they were arrested for various violent crimes.
The trio of Bruce Nyandoro (36), Bongani Carlos Phiri (33) and Bhekithemba Steven Dube (25) appeared at the Bulawayo Magistrate’s court before Miss Nomagugu Maphosa facing charges of physical assault and attempted murder.
The State case as presented by prosecutor Miss Shamiso Mpofu was that sometime this year around 9 pm, Nyandoro had a misunderstanding with his wife Clara Phiri (29). It was during the heat of the moment that Nyandoro took an axe from under the bed and threatened to harm his wife with it.
Sensing danger, the court heard, Clara fled from their lodgings to seek refuge. The State alleges that Nyandoro ganged up with his two friends Phiri and Dube and followed the complainant while armed with an axe, machete and knives.
Realising that her life was in danger Clara went and made a police report leading to the arrest of three accused. They were remanded out of custody on Z$20 000 bail each.
Miss Mpofu further told the court that on 27 March around 5 pm, Nyandoro and Phiri approached Robin Chinamasa (40) who resides in Nketa who was walking with his girlfriend past Engen garage and hailed insults at him before they attacked him with the handle of a small axe that they were holding.
They beat him several times on the thighs before they drew a knife that they used to stab the complainant once on the forefinger. The complainant made a police report. The criminal activities of the trio also saw them attacking Wisdom Tembo (35) as he was walking in a bush area between Nguboyenja and Thorngrove suburbs.
The court was told that Tembo was going to buy mealie-meal when he met the three accused persons who asked him to surrender the money, he was going to use to buy mealie meal.
When he refused, the court was told, the trio threatened to beat him up with Phiri grabbing the complainant by the jersey before taking US$10 from him. Tembo is said to have followed them asking for his money back but they refused and instead threatened to beat him up. The complainant then reported the case to the police leading to the arrest of the accused persons. They are being charged with physical assault, attempted murder and theft and they were remanded in custody to 16 July.
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