Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
THREE men accused of murdering a man from Pelandaba West suburb in Bulawayo before stealing his belongings have appeared in court.
Zibusiso Sibanda (22), Noah Mafu (37), and Zibusiso Zivanai Sibanda (49) appeared on Saturday before Western Commonage Magistrate Mr Jeconia Ncube, facing charges of murder after allegedly fatally stabbing a Pelandaba
West resident and stealing his belongings.
The accused persons were not asked to plead to the charges and were remanded in custody until July 10.
Prosecutor, Ms Ellen Matenga, told the court that the incident occurred on June 22 at around 4PM. The accused persons, acting in common purpose, laid an ambush along Hyde Park Road near Bulawayo’s Pelandaba West turn-off.
When the deceased, Mlimisi Ncube, was walking past the spot where the trio was lying in ambush, they severely knifed and robbed him.
“The accused persons manhandled the now deceased and stabbed him twice on the right side of the chest. They then robbed him of his blue Itel S18 cellphone, a Samsung A06 cellphone, and a satchel containing clothes before fleeing the scene,” said Ms Matenga.
The court heard the deceased succumbed to the severe stab wounds on the spot. His body was discovered the following morning at around 5AM by passersby lying in a pool of blood. Detectives from the Bulawayo CID Homicide section launched an immediate investigation into the brutal killing, which quickly led to a breakthrough.
“Zibusiso Sibanda was arrested on June 23 at around 0130 hours at Marisha Bar while in possession of a blood-stained Okapi knife.
“Following further investigations, detectives apprehended Noah Mafu and Zibusiso Zivanai on 25 June. During interviews, the suspects admitted to committing the offence,” said Ms Matenga.
Following the arrests, the accused led detectives to the recovery of the stolen blue Itel S18 cellphone, which the deceased’s immediate relatives have positively identified.
A post-mortem report confirming the cause of death was a stab wound to the heart will be produced as an exhibit in court.
