adminThubelihle Mabhena Court reporter
A disbabled commuter omnibus operator who uses a wheelchair allegedly hired four men to assist him beat up his driver and kidnap his family for not surrendering cash to him.
The gang of five allegedly ransacked the driver’s bedroom and stole $56.
In a nocturnal raid, Ephraim Moyo of Magwegwe suburb stormed into 29-year-old Simisosenkosi Moyo’s residence in Nkayi district in Matabeleland North province at around 1AM in the company of Prince Moyo, Mpendulo Magutshwa, Oscar Ncube and Nhamo Ncube, a magistrate heard.
Simisosenkosi is employed as a commuter omnibus driver in Nkayi, by Ephraim who resides in Bulawayo. Ephraim accused Simisosenkosi of not surrending bus revenue to him.
The gang allegedly dragged Simisosenkosi out of his bedroom to the vehicle they were travelling in before assaulting him with sticks and stabbing him on his cheek with a knife.
The court heard that they kidnapped Simisosenkosi including his wife, Mercy Moyo, his brother Dutymaster Moyo and his daughter.
One of the partners in crime allegedly drove the vehicle destined for Bulawayo.
The four allegedly stopped the vehicle along the way and set upon Simisosenkosi, kicking and punching him, until he managed to break free and escape.
The gang drove off with Simisosenkosi’s wife, brother and daughter to Ephraim’s house at Magwegwe surbub, the court heard.
Ephraim, Moyo, Magutshwa, Ncube and Nhamo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure facing two counts of kidnapping and assault.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to Tuesday
Prosecuting, Kudakwashe Jaravaza said that on March 26, this year, Ephraim, Moyo, Magutshwa, Ncube and Nhamo broke into Simisosenkosi’s house in Nkayi.
“The gang dragged him out of his bedroom and beat him up before stabbing him on his cheek,” said Jaravaza.
They yanked Simisosenkosi into the vehicle they were travelling in and continued to beat him up with sticks said Jaravaza.
Simisosenkosi reported the matter to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter