×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Karoi trio remanded for killing businessman

News
Three Karoi men, among them, a National Patriotic Front (NPF) losing council candidate, who are facing charges of robbing and killing a local businessman have further been remanded in custody to September 5.

Three Karoi men, among them, a National Patriotic Front (NPF) losing council candidate, who are facing charges of robbing and killing a local businessman have further been remanded in custody to September 5.

By Nhau Mangirazi

Vengai Vonga, Francis Makaza (37) and Anywhere Chaona (26), employed by Moscht Security Company were not asked to plead when they appeared before Karoi magistrate Samuel Chitumwa, who advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.

The trio was arrested after being found in possession of late Ashwinbhai Rama’s mobile phones.

Prosecutor James Phiri told the court that Vonga, who lost the Karoi ward 3 council election and his accomplices allegedly committed the offence on May 17 around 6:30pm at Rama Wholesalers while armed with pistols and a rifle.

According to the State, the three arrived at Rama Wholesalers and force-marched security guard Luke Samuel Nyika and three other workers − Chido Fungulani, Shame Masava and David Mukali − who were doing stocktaking in Rama’s office. The late businessman was counting his daily takings and resisted a directive to lie down before he was shot in both legs before being hit on the head with an iron bar.

The accused then allegedly broke a safe and stole $1 598 before demanding mobile phones from Fungulani, Rama and Masava.

The businessman was left lying in a pool of blood and died on his way to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

Police launched a manhunt, leading to the arrest of Vonga and Makaza after they were found in possession of the stolen phones. The duo later implicated their co-accused, Chaona.