adminTimoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
TWO men from Chiwundura in Gweru Rural who stabbed a fellow villager 12 times with a knife and left him for dead were on Thursday convicted of attempted murder.
Innocent Sibanda, 23, and his friend, Admire Tete, 30, both of Chimurenga village under Chief Chiwundura, appeared before regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire, who remanded them in custody to November 9 for sentencing. The third accomplice, who is a friend to Sibanda and Tete, is still at large.
Sibanda and Tete were found guilty of attempting to kill Trymore Shoko.
Agreed facts are that on September 14 this year at Gunde Business Centre, Sibanda, Tete and their yet to be identified friend approached Shoko who was drinking beer at Kwidini Bottle Store. They ordered him to go outside as they had some issues to discuss with him. The court heard that the trio demanded an undisclosed amount of money which they claimed Shoko owed them. When Shoko refused to co-operate, Sibanda asked his two friends to pin the complainant down while he drew an okapi knife and stabbed him 12 times in the back and in the head.
His two friends made sure that he did not escape by pinning him down, the court heard.
Shoko was only saved by his friend, Stewart Ticharwa, who came charging towards the three demanding that they let the complainant go.
The matter was reported to the police who had a torrid time trying to arrest Sibanda and Tete as they attacked them with iron bars while the third accomplice ran away.
Emmanuel Mathonsi appeared for the state.
derick.khumalo