Man axed to death in $1,50 robbery

Michael Magoronga, Sunday News Correspondent
A SILOBELA man who fatally axed another villager and robbed him of $1,50 and a mobile phone before dumping his body in a disused mine last week appeared in court facing a charge of murder.

Jowman Ndlovu (21) of Nkomozabo Village under Chief Malisa in Silobela allegedly struck Nobukhosi Nkomo with an axe and a stone in the head before robbing him of cash amounting to just $1,50 and a mobile phone. He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Story Rushambwa and was remanded in custody to 26 June.

Mr Rushambwa advised Ndlovu to apply for bail at the High Court. It is the State’s case that on 9 June, at about 9am, Nkomo was on his way to Dlamathuli to purchase some goods.

Nkomo is alleged to have met the accused along the way who unexpectedly appeared from behind and attacked him with an axe and a stone on the head. The court was told that as a result of the attack Nkomo fell down and became unconscious.

Ndlovu, the court heard, searched him and took $1,50 and a mobile phone whose value and type was not named in court papers.

It is alleged Nkomo later died as a result of the attack and to conceal the heinous act, Ndlovu carried the body on his shoulders and dumped it in an abandoned mine shaft. The body was later discovered by passers-by who followed a trail of blood which led to the mine shaft. Mr Freddy Ndoro prosecuted.