Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
FOUR men from Glenken Farm in Bindura have appeared before the Bindura Magistrate’s Court on attempted murder charges after allegedly assaulting and trying to burn a fellow villager during a dispute over beer.
The accused — Anold Chemambo (24), Tafadzwa Petros (32), Anyway Chatambarara (23) and Acharia Muchineripi (27) — were arraigned before Regional Magistrate Mr Amos Mbono and were remanded in custody pending trial.
According to the State, represented by prosecutor Mr Clever Nyapfani, the incident occurred in the early hours of July 4, 2025, at Konan’ale Mining Claim, near Blue Bar, a well-known drinking spot in the area.
The complainant, Samuel Maruza (29), also of Glenken Farm, was reportedly drinking alone when the four men approached him.
The group allegedly confronted Maruza, accusing him of deliberately isolating himself from the rest of the community.
The altercation degenerated into violence.
The court heard that the suspects grabbed Maruza by his arms and legs, dragged him to an open fire, and held him over the flames.
They then allegedly pinned him to the ground and forced him into the burning embers. Chemambo and Muchineripi reportedly stepped on Maruza’s chest to keep him in the fire, while Petros allegedly shoved a burning log into his trousers, causing extensive burns to his head, neck, back and buttocks.
When Maruza screamed for help, the accused allegedly threatened bystanders who attempted to intervene, denying him immediate assistance.
Peter Tanyanyiwa