adminKhamangeni Phiri Midlands Bureau Chief
THE High Court circuit in Gweru yesterday concluded the three-day trial of a Gokwe soccer fan who killed an assistant referee in 2012 for ruling that his social football team had scored an off-side goal.
Onismo Muruvi Fichani, 32, allegedly allowed emotions to get the better of him during a match played at Joboringo Primary School, Chief Nemangwe, in Gokwe South on 18 October in 2012.
The victim, Isaac Mbofana, who was aged 33 years when he met his death, was the linesman.
Fichani pleaded not guilty to murder charges and was presented pro deo by Kwekwe lawyer, Patience Nyabwa.
He will have to contend with a little bit of anxiety as he will only know his fate on Monday after Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, adjourned the court for the weekend, pushing judgment to Monday.
The State Counsel, led by Mirirai Shumba, presented its case:
“On the 18th day of October, 2012 in the afternoon and at Joboringo Primary School, Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South, the now deceased, Isaac Mbofana was an assistant referee in a soccer match being played at the above mentioned school. The accused person was among the spectators.
“During the match, the rival team, Hotline, scored first but Fichani’s team, Tank 3, equalised during the first half.”
Trouble erupted in the second half.
Shumba said in the second half, Tank 3, scored a second goal and Isaac Mbofana lifted his flag, signalling an off-side. However, the referee, Cuthbert Zimbabwe, allowed the goal to stand and the match ended 2-1 in favour of Tank 3, the accused’s team.
After the match, Fichani approached the now deceased and angrily accused him of wanting to let down his team through his officiating.
The now deceased, Isaac Mbofana, was pulled away by his brother, Penias Mbofana, and they started walking towards their home.
Shumba told the court that Fichani came from behind and struck the late Isaac Mbofana with a log once on the head resulting in Isaac Mbofana dying on the spot.
The State led two witnesses, Penias Mbofana, who is the deceased’s brother and Takura Takawira, a villager who witnessed the fatal attack on Isaac Mbofana.
The two gave corroborative evidence.
In his defence, Fichani argued that he was the coach of Tank 3 not just a fan.
He submitted to the court that he was drinking beer as he watched his team playing.
Fichani told the court:
“One Robert Mazengenya came and confronted me, accusing me of stealing some of his players. The two teams were previously one before they split. My team was celebrating its win and was confronted by Mazengenya and Takura Takawira and other people. The deceased person belonged to the same team as Robert Mazengenya and Takura Takawira.”
Fichani alleged that the late Isaac Mbofana struck him with two blows above the eye before he was restrained by Takura Takawira.
He further alleged that Robert Mazengenya hit him with a stone on the head.
Fichani said the fighting degenerated into a brawl that ended with players of both teams joining the fight.
He concluded by stating that he only picked up a log to defend himself against the now deceased Mbofana and his colleagues whom he alleged were also armed with a log.
Online Reporter