HAPPY BIRTHDAY MWANJALI

Fungai Muderere
CALL it luck or grace, aï¿½?disgracedaï¿½? former Warriors captain Method Mwanjali got his best birthday present ever when he was granted bail on the day he turned 33 years of age, pending his attempted murder charge case.

Mwanjali, who was looking forward to a not so glamorous birthday celebration meal of probably sadza and beans in remand prison, was lucky to see the sun as a aï¿½?free manaï¿½ï¿½ only for a few days before he returns to the dock on May 4.

It would seem that the Harare High Courtaï¿½ï¿½s granting of US$100 bail to Mwanjali was a perfect 33rd birthday present to the footie.

The player was in remand cells for days after he allegedly stabbed Tonderai Nhunzvi twice in the belly, in what is understood to be a road rage fight.

Mwanjali, who is in the books of CAPS United could play for the green machine in Sundayaï¿½ï¿½s Castle Premiership derby in the capital.

And this could be thanks to the leniency of the Harare High Court.

The courtaï¿½ï¿½s decision was a case of aï¿½?the candle shop burning downaï¿½? to those closer to the former Mamelodi Sundowns defender who were ready to say aï¿½?Happy Birthdayaï¿½ï¿½ to the Hwange born defender.

However, there is reportedly growing speculation among Mwanjaliaï¿½ï¿½s supporters that the bail may have come as a result of claims that the complainant Tonderai Nhunzi may not have been stabbed but rather suffered bruises.

Caps United chairman Advocate Lewis Uriri said he had been urged not to comment on such issues by the playeraï¿½ï¿½s lawyers TK Hove and Partners.

According to Mwanjaliaï¿½ï¿½s lawyers, the defendantaï¿½ï¿½s bail conditions are similar to those of his teammate Archiford Gutu, who is facing charges of malicious damage to property after allegedly smashing the windscreen of Nhunziaï¿½ï¿½s Toyota Altezza.

Turning to the crunch encounter with Dynamos on Sunday, CAPS United could not be stretched to comment on Mwanjaliaï¿½ï¿½s availability on match day.

aï¿½?We want him to concentrate on what is happening in his life. He is still employed by CAPS United and he should just report for duty. We have (Mwanjali) gagged him from speaking to the media and members of the public. I think he needs space and we should let justice prevail,aï¿½? said Caps United board member- marketing Alois Bunjira.

aï¿½?I would love to give a word of advice not particularly to Mwanjali but to the countryaï¿½ï¿½s public figures. While they are (public figures) they are free to go out and have fun, they should avoid trouble. They should keep away from trouble makers and stick to their close associates.

There are a lot of haters out there who target public figures -footballers included,aï¿½? added the former CAPS United and Young Warriors attacking midfielder.