Pix (Shelton Jubane and Mehluli “Mamba” Ncube)
Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
A LAWYER who was in the process of making a bail application for an armed robber allegedly linked to a gang that recently gunned down a Bulawayo businessman during a US$10 000 armed robbery did not turn up at court.
Shelton Jubane (37) appeared last Friday before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Sam Chitumwa facing a murder charge.
Jubane, who had engaged Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm, told the court that he did not know where his lawyer was.
“I was expecting to meet up with him at the court and I don’t know why he didn’t come,” said Jubane.
He was remanded in custody until 23 October. The State alleges that on September 14, shortly after 11pm, Jubane conspired with Mehluli Ncube, also known as Mamba, Muzi Richard Fambirai Moyo, who has since died following a shoot-out with police, and Bhekimpilo Mabuza, who is still at large.
The court heard that the four men were armed with pistols when they allegedly targeted Mr Tedious Rutanhira shortly after he had closed his shop near a Zuva Service Station along Joshua Mqabuko Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues in Bulawayo.
Prosecuting, Ms Josiphine Gurazhira told the court that Rutanhira was walking towards his vehicle, which was parked at the service station, when the accused and his alleged accomplices confronted him.”
While the deceased was walking towards his car, the accused and his accomplices emerged and tried to forcibly take the bag he was clutching, but he resisted.
“They then fired shots at him, killing him on the spot,” said Ms Gurazhira.
The gang allegedly took the bag, which contained US$10 000, before fleeing the scene.
The court heard that taxi drivers who witnessed the incident attempted to effect a citizen’s arrest, but the alleged robbers fired shots towards them as they escaped.
Police investigations subsequently led to Jubane’s arrest the following day.
