GWERU — In a bizarre case that throws more intrigue in the mystery that followed themurder of a Gokwe MDC-T activist, Moses Chokuda, three years ago, the alleged murderers of one of Chokuda’s killers are believed to have lost their minds.
The lawyer representing three convicts who allegedly killed Abel Maphosa, one of Chokuda’s murderers, says his clients had suddenly refused to give him instructions to defend them and they all appeared to have developed some form of mental illness.
The three, who were serving time at Whawha Prison for various convictions, are standing trial for allegedly murdering Maphosa who had refused to join them in a jailbreak.
Maphosa, who was serving his 10-year jail term for Chokuda’s murder at Whawha Prison in cell 12, was allegedly beaten to death by Wellington Gadzira (38), Nyasha Joanny Musiiwa (24) and Moses Mahuvava (32), after he refused to co-operate with the three in their escape scheme.
It is the State’s case that on November 23 last year, the three killed Maphosa by kicking him with booted feet, knocking his head against the wall and suffocating him by forcing a towel down his throat before attempting to escape from prison.
They were caught in the act before Maphosa’s dead body was discovered inside the cell he shared with them. They now face charges of murder and attempted jailbreak.
Their murder trial was set for this week at the Gweru High Court circuit.
Defence lawyer Tapera Zivanai told NewsDay yesterday that his client Gadzirai appeared to have lost his mind and was refusing to give him instructions so he could mount a defence for the accused.
