dyton mupawaenda
Prosper Dembedza–Herald Correspondent
The killer of Moreblessing Ali in June last year, Pius Jamba Mukandi, has been convicted of murder by High Court Judge Justice Esther Muremba sitting with two assessors, with the court finding that there was no political motive in Ali’s killing, just personal.
Passing judgment, Justice Muremba said it was her considered view that Mukandi must have taken Ms Ali against her will.
“Her body was cut into three pieces. It is his word that he cut them after she died. He only surrendered himself to the police after he realised he had nowhere to go. In view of this, we find the accused guilty of the charge of murder,” ruled the judge.
Justice Muremba adjourned the trial to December 20 for sentence. Present procedures now require a hearing to assess sentence.
Mukandi denied the allegations during his trial, but the prosecution brought in seven witnesses including his mother, Lina Mukandi, and sister Mercy.
Mukandi in his defence insisted that on the day of the killing he had already planned a journey to his mother’s rural home and had notified her, but his mother told the court that she was not aware of his whereabouts.
Mukandi denied killing Ms Ali saying he was sacrificed to ease political tension in the Nyatsime area after she was killed.
He said he was forced to admit to the crime and do indications despite not knowing Ms Ali. In a murder trial, the facts have to be proven even if there are admissions.
Ms Ali was last seen on May 24 last year at a night club in Nyatsime where she had an altercation with Mukandi.
He was later seen by Ms Ali’s friend Kirina Mayironi dragging Ms Ali.
She attempted to save her friend, leading to Mukandi striking her with a stone propelled by a catapult and hitting her chin, leaving an open wound.
No one was able to help Ms Ali as Mukandi was throwing stones and he took her to a secluded place where he struck her using an unknown instrument and strangled her using her trousers, thereby causing her death.
He used an unknown instrument to cut the body of Ms Ali into three pieces consisting of the upper torso and two legs.
Mukandi then took the disjointed body parts to Plot 321 Dunnotar Farm, Beatrice, belonging to his mother where he dumped them in a disused well.
He then went on the run before he gave himself up.
Online Reporter