Six robbers in Mushonga’s murder case back in court

Misihairabwi-Mushonga and fatally attacked her husband in 2009, opened yesterday at the High Court.
Makaita Milanzi (33), Stephen Zimowa (36), Antony Khumbula (31), Asani Chikwanda (29), Tendai Jongwe (38) and Chrispen Sibanda (50), pleaded not guilty to murder charges when they appeared before Justice Felistas Chatukuta.
In their defence outlines, the six who were represented by six lawyers, argued that they did not commit the offence and that police framed them.
The trial continued with Minister Mushonga’s sister, Ms Maria Mandizha, giving evidence.
In her evidence in chief, she told the court that she was the one who took care of her late brother and that she also fell unconscious when the robbers pounced at her and the late Dr Mushonga. She said she was traumatised as a result of the attack.
The trial will continue today with Ms Mandizha giving further evidence.
Mr Godwin Nyasha 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 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 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 line.
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 lines.
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. His condition was reportedly critical.
Dr Mushonga later died at his home and his body was taken to Harare Hospital Mortuary.
Dr Edwardo Estrada carried out a post mortem that showed that Dr Mushonga’s death was due to cardiac failure hemorrhage and gedena puchonary arising from the assault.