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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
THE High Court has dismissed a bail application by a Bulawayo man who allegedly stabbed his family’s maid 10 times using a kitchen knife for turning down his sexual advances.
Justice Martin Makonese on Thursday threw out an application for bail pending trial by Vincent Chikowore, 24, of Gwabalanda suburb.
Chikowore claimed that he fatally stabbed Dudzai Hungwe after she had seduced him.
Justice Makonese said Chikowore failed to give a plausible defence at law.
“Chikowore hasn’t offered any plausible or recognisable defence at law against the serious allegations he’s facing.
“He stabbed Hungwe 10 times for no apparent reason and fled from the scene and only to be arrested four days later,” said the judge.
Justice Makonese said there was no guarantee that if granted bail Chikowore would not abscond given the gravity of the crime committed.
“The temptation to flee and abscond is real in view of the strength of the State case. I’m aware that under our law the seriousness of the case on its own isn’t a ground to deny an applicant bail pending trial, but however, other factors have to be taken into account. The applicant in my view, is a flight risk, and I’m not satisfied that if granted bail, he would stand trial,” said the judge.
“The interests of justice would be compromised and in the result, the application for bail pending trial is hereby dismissed.”
Chikowore, through his lawyers Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners, argued that there were no compelling reasons to justify his continued detention at Khami Remand Prison.
Chikowore killed Hungwe hours after he and his mother moved into a new house where they were tenants.
He allegedly asked their maid to have sex with him at around 1PM on December 31, 2015, when his mother had gone into the city to see her daughter off to South Africa. The maid refused.
Chikowore, it is alleged, grabbed a knife and stabbed Hungwe 10 times and she died instantly.
Online Reporter