Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
TWO men recently appeared at the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court in Bulawayo facing assault charges after a citizen’s arrest of a man they caught stealing scrap metal from a company in the Kelvin Industrial ended fatally.
The matter, which was initially treated as a murder case and referred to the High Court, was later redirected back to the magistrates’ court after the High Court ruled that it was not murder but assault case.
The accused, Nyazika Tawanda (30) of Luveve and Moto Glen (33) of Cowdray Park, are charged with assaulting Freeman Moto (26), who later died.
Prosecutor Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the incident occurred on July 3, 2024 at around 5pm, along Brockel Road in Kelvin West.
On the day in question, the deceased, together with Brighton Tshuma and Junior Ncube, allegedly removed a perimeter wall panel to gain access to the company premises. Once inside, the deceased reportedly forced open a storeroom window and began removing scrap metal, which he passed through the window to Tshuma and Ncube, who were waiting outside.
However, the accused persons spotted the deceased and gave chase.
He fell while attempting to scale the perimeter wall and was subsequently apprehended, while his accomplices managed to flee the scene.
Tawanda and Glen then took the deceased to a shed inside the workshop, where they allegedly tied his legs with an electric cable, poured water over him, and beat him multiple times on the buttocks with a hosepipe.
The deceased collapsed and sustained injuries on the head leading to his death.
Magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga postponed the matter to June 26.
