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Makaita Milanzi (33), Stephen Zimowa (36), Antony Khumbula (31), Asani Chikwanda (29), Tendai Jongwe (38) and Chrispen Sibanda (50), are pleading not guilty to murder.
They are appearing before Justice Felistas Chatukuta.
The six who are represented by six lawyers, argue that they did not commit the offence and that police framed them.
Zimowa says he was arrested by drunk cops who were visibly high on drugs.
The State alleges that on June 18, 2009, the six, who were all armed, approached Constable Mbizi Tirivacho of the Police Protection Unit, who was on duty at Dr Mushonga’s house in Mount Pleasant.
They allegedly pointed pistols at him and threatened to shoot him if he did not comply with their orders.
They disarmed the police officer of his service weapon, an AK47 folding butt assault rifle and two fully charged magazines.
While armed, it is alleged, they approached Ms Maria Mandizha who was walking in the yard and force-marched her to the main house.
When they were inside the house, they led her to the spare bedroom where a family friend, Ms Mitchell Hakata, who had just arrived from the United Kingdom, was sleeping, the charges read.
They allegedly demanded cash at gunpoint and were given US$150 and a Nokia cellphone with a Net One simcard.
The six allegedly assaulted Ms Hakata and ransacked the whole room but found nothing more.
It is alleged that they force-marched Ms Mandizha and Ms Hakata to Dr Mushonga’s bedroom, where they severely assaulted him and stole three cellphones and two Net One simcards.
The gang allegedly took the keys to the Minister’s official Toyota Prado and sped off.
As a result of the assault, Dr Mushonga sustained severe head injuries. Dr Mushonga later died from the injuries.
Dr Edwardo Estrada carried out a post mortem that showed that Dr Mushonga’s death was due to cardiac failure haemorrhage and gedena puchonary arising from the assault.
Online Reporter