GABORONE — Eleven Zimbabweans were arraigned before principal magistrate Rebaone Mmereki recently at Extension II magistrate court for a single count of murder.
The accused, Hitler Thomas, Magwenze Kumbirai, Loveboy Chanaka, Mxolisi Mpofu, Thabani Moyo, Nyakujezwa Dereck, Tawanda Zete, Tafadzwa Kazingizi, Jervas Kadzingidzi, Simbarashe Machungwe and John Mutamangira, are alleged to have murdered fellow Zimbabwean national, Clear Champion Dube on September 11, 2011 at Old Naledi location before dumping his body at Gaborone dam on the same day.
The prosecutor, Inspector Tshepanang Modise,told Mmegi that on the fateful day, the 11 accused allegedly followed the deceased to his residence at Old Naledi where they assaulted him. Dube allegedly died from injuries sustained during the assault.
Modise said the deceased’s body was found in a badly decomposed state at Gaborone Dam. Police records revealed that after assaulting the deceased, the accused persons put his unconscious body in a van.
They allegedly claimed that they were taking him to Urban Police Station where he had a case of malicious damage to property against the first accused, Hitler Thomas.
Thomas was said to owe the deceased an undisclosed sum of money. Thomas is alleged to have proceeded to the police station where he withdrew his case against the deceased, claiming that Dube had paid for the property he was reported to have destroyed.
“When the deceased was reported missing after some days, the accused persons claimed that he was in Zimbabwe, saying that they have been communicating with him,” Modise said.
He said Thomas and Kumbirai have been granted bail by the High Court.
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Modise added that the matter had been dragging on for over six months as the Directorate of Public Prosecutions had not yet delegated a prosecutor to handle the case.
“We are hopeful that during the next remnad, a prosecutor will be available to address the needs of the accused persons, including bail applications, following assessment of evidence compiled by the investigating officers,” he said. Another remand date was set for April 24.—Mmegi
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