TWO Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) soldiers are detained at Mutare Remand Prison for allegedly murdering a Marange villager in cold blood before burying the body in a secret grave.
Report by Obey Manayiti Staff Reporter
Farai Muzombi (33) based at Manyame Air Base and Birias Zingori (34), also of the AFZ, appeared before Mutare magistrate Charles Murowe on Monday and were remanded in custody to October 22 after the State opposed bail.
They allegedly beat up two villagers using logs, clenched fists and booted feet throughout the night of September 28 up to the following morning after accusing them of stealing roofing sheets belonging to Muzombi.
Their victims, Trust Barwai and Nehemiah Ndiriwenyu, allegedly sustained serious injuries which led to Barwai’s death, the court heard.
Charges against the two are that on September 28 this year in Charamba village in Marange, the two soldiers clad in their service uniform teamed up at around 8pm looking for the two villagers. When they found them, they allegedly handcuffed them before assaulting them to force confession.
The soldiers later allegedly took Barwai’s body and drove it 50 metres away from the crime scene towards Binya Bridge along the Save River where they dug a shallow grave and buried it.
A medical examination done on Barwai’s body revealed that death was caused by head injuries as a result of assault.
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The soldiers were arrested on October 4. They later made indications to the police on how they had allegedly murdered Barwai and where they buried his body in a shallow grave.
Nelson Makunyire prosecuted.
