KWEKWE — Elson Masendeke (34), who was arrested from his hideout in Kadoma last Thursday, has been brought to court and charged with murder.
Blessed Mhlanga
Masendeke was charged on Monday when he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Taurai Manwere.
It is the State case that on March 29, Elson in the company of his brothers Ernest and Edward, Lazarus Mukarati and another man identified only as Mahofa, had an altercation with the now deceased Jonathan Mpofu at a bar in Kwekwe’s Mbizo 4 high-density suburb.
The five allegedly assaulted Mpofu with fists, sticks and a machete which was recovered under Elson’s bed in Rimuka suburb during his arrest.
“The five assaulted Mpofu with sticks, fists and a machete several times until he became unconscious. He sustained deep cuts on his forehead and several bruises all over his body and bled through the nose and mouth,” the statement reads.
An eye-witness, Malvin Gore, claimed in a sworn affidavit that he saw the whole incident which allegedly took place just after he had also been assaulted with a knife by Elson demanding money from him.
“We were playing pool with the Masendeke brothers and had bet $10 on the game which was won by Farai Mvududu. The Masendeke brothers however, wanted the money, so they demanded it from me.
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“Feeling threatened, I was left with no choice but to give Ernest $20. He then left, but Elson remained behind demanding more money from me.
“He then drew an Okapi knife and started stabbing me in my arms without using much force,” he wrote.
Meanwhile the other assailants were attacking the now deceased who was later found dead.
The other four accused persons are still on the run and police have launched a manhunt for them.
Elson was remanded in custody to April 22.
