Mwanjali in High Court bail bid

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
The High Court is today expected to hear a bail application by CAPS United skipper Method Mwanjali who is facing charges of attempted murder. Mwanjali (33) allegedly stabbed Tonderai Nhunzvi with a knife in the early hours of Sunday following an alteration in the parking lot at Long Cheng Plaza in Harare. He appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe challenging his placement on remand, but it was thrown out for lack of merit.

He was on Wednesday remanded in custody to May 4 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court. Mwanjali’s lawyer Mr Tinofara Hove of TK Hove yesterday confirmed that he filed a bail application at the High Court.

“We filed our application at the High Court and the bail will be heard tomorrow at 9am,” said Mr Hove. “He is a suitable candidate for bail and his release will not in any way jeopardise the administration of justice.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Mpumalanga Black Aces defender’s victim is battling for his life in hospital. He was allegedly stabbed twice in the stomach.

His accomplice and team mate Archiford Gutu was granted $100 bail and will appear in court on the same day. Gutu is facing malicious damage to property charges after he smashed the rear windscreen of Nhunzvi’s car using an unknown object.

Mwanjali is the CAPS United captain, having rejoined the club last year after being frozen out at Sundowns last season after his contract expired. The State alleged that the parties met at an intersection in the Long Cheng Plaza complex and their vehicles almost collided.

Gutu, who was behind the wheel, got out of the vehicle and charged towards Nhunzvi who had three passengers on board before confronting and accusing him of reckless driving.

As Gutu was shouting, Nhunzvi closed his car windows and this irritated Gutu who then smashed the windscreen using an unknown object.

Mwanjali joined in the melee and drew a knife out and stabbed Nhunzvi twice in the stomach. Nhunzvi’s friend, Lionel Muchena, who tried to stop Mwanjali from stabbing Nhunzvi, was also caught in the crossfire and sustained a cut on his hand.