KWEKWE — Elson Masendeke, who is facing murder charges together with his two brothers and an alleged accomplice, was yesterday further remanded to July 17.
Report by Blessed Mhlanga
Elson (34) was arrested in Kadoma over allegations of brutally assaulting Jonathan Mpofu of Mbizo to death on March 29 together with his brothers Ernest, Edward and Lazarus Mukarati.
Ernest, Edward and Mukarati are on the run.
A frail-looking Elson, who in his defence claims he was nowhere near Mbizo 4 on the night of the murder, was continuously shaking his head when he appeared before provincial magistrate Taurai Manwere for routine remand yesterday.
The State alleges that Elson and the three fugitives assaulted Mpofu with a machete and sticks following a misunderstanding and left him for dead.
“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 the body and bled through the nose and mouth,” reads a court statement.
According to an eyewitness account, Mpofu’s crime was allegedly stepping on Edward’s foot while he was at a pool table at a night spot in Mbizo, Kwekwe.
