Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A GOLD dealer from Esigodini allegedly hired four assassins and paid them US$250 to kill his two rivals, a dirty job that claimed the life of one of his victims.
After attacking the two victims, the quartet robbed the pair of 30 grammes of alluvial gold, US$900, $3 000, a cellphone and identity documents.
The two victims, Ms Nomalanga Sibanda and Mr Remember Moyo were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. Moyo succumbed to the injuries while Ms Sibanda is still fighting for her life.
This emerged when one of the suspects, Nkosana Ncube, filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State a respondent.
Justice Evangelista Kabasa dismissed the application, saying there was no guarantee that if released on bail, Ncube would not abscond due to the gravity of the offence.
“The applicant is not a good candidate for bail. The interests of justice demand that he be incarcerated so as to ensure that he attends trial,” said the judge.
Justice Kabasa said Ncube failed to show, on a balance of probabilities, that it is in the interest of justice for him to be released on bail pending trial.
“Such incarceration is not meant to be anticipatory punishment, but to ensure applicant stands trial. In the result, the application for bail pending trial be and is hereby dismissed,” ruled the judge.
In his bail application, Ncube through his lawyers, Job Sibanda and Associates, is denying the charge, arguing that there is no evidence linking him to the offence.
Ncube said he was a proper candidate for bail, arguing that the State’s case was weak.
He argued that he did not participate in attacking the two victims.
“Although I was at the scene, I was neither involved in the murder of the deceased nor participate in attack. In fact, I was standing from a distance imploring others not to kill anyone, but just to take the property,” said Ncube.
The State, represented by Mr Blessing Gundani, opposed the application, saying it has a strong prima facie case against the applicant.
He argued that Ncube was a flight risk due to the seriousness of the offence.
“The seriousness of the offence and the likely penalty should he be convicted will induce the applicant to abscond should he be granted bail. The State has a strong prima facie case as the applicant was placed at the scene of the crime by the surviving victim and his co-accused Bongani Mkhwananzi,” said Mr Gundani
Court papers state that on January 16 this year at around 4PM, Ncube and Mkhwananzi together with two others who are still at large, were hired by one Mlamuleli Ncube to kill the deceased and Ms Sibanda whom he regarded as his competitors in gold buying.
The court heard that four suspects were paid US$250. They armed themselves with machetes, axes and a crowbar and followed the two victims who were on their way from Ncema River.
Upon catching up with Ms Sibanda and Moyo, they confronted them before attacking them after which they robbed the victims of US$900, $3 000 and an Itel cellphone. They also took Ms Sibanda’s identity documents.
The two victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where they were admitted. Moyo died the following day.
Ncube was arrested five months later following a night raid at a homestead in Esigodini where he was hiding. — @mashnets
Online Reporter