UZ student attacked and killed in love nest

Knife

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AN Epworth man who allegedly murdered a University of Zimbabwe student at a "lovers spot" in Braeside has appeared in court.

Peter Dirai (28) was not formally charged when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi on Thursday who remanded him in custody to September 30.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. Prosecutor Ms Tendai Chiduwa alleges that on May 21 at around 5pm, the now deceased Kuda-kwashe Musungo went to Braeside Police Camp to see his girlfriend, Linet Chikanga.

The State said after a short conversation, Chikanga accompanied him. The two, it is alleged, used a footpath that led to a dirt road behind Morgan Zintec Teachers’ College. The court heard the pair sat under a tree 30m from the dirt road.

While there, Dirai and his accomplice only identified as Clive (still at large) suddenly appeared from the bush and asked what they were doing, the State alleged.

Musungo allegedly told them to mind their own business, at which point one of the men produced a knife and ordered the couple to surrender their belongings.

When Musungo refused, the court was told, the two men assaulted him and during the scuffle, Chikanga ran to seek help at Braeside Police Station.

She returned in the company of her sister — who also lives at the police camp — and a Constable Mutenda. The State said they found Musungo lying in a pool of blood with a deep cut in the chest.

The pair had also allegedly robbed Musungo of US$15 and his Vodafone cellphone. A post-mortem on May 25 this year indicated the cause of death was the stab wound.

Police investigations led to Dirai’s arrest in Harare.  Meanwhile, three police officers and a civilian have appeared in court facing murder charges.

Roorai Ronald Sambo (35), Leoroy Muteyera (26), Kudzai Madziro (25) and Emmanuel Dolosi (41) allegedly murdered a security guard at Gletwin Farm in Chishawasha.

They yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi who remanded them in custody to October 1. Mr Mutevedzi advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecutor Arnold Sandalamu alleges that on July 2, 2010 at around 2am, security guard Edson Manembe was on duty with Peter Munzverengwi, Godfrey Chirwanemhuka and Joseph Matunike.

It is alleged that Chirwanemhuka and Matunike were manning the farm’s main entrance, Munzverengwi was at the chicken run, and the deceased was at the building materials storeroom.

At around 3am the cops and their accomplice — who were armed with pistols — arrived at the farm driving a Toyota Hiace and Vauxhall which they parked a distance away, the court heard.

The State alleges they cut a security fence to gain entrance into the premises. They allegedly entered the guardroom, pointed pistols at Chirwanemhuka and Matunike, tied them up and left. One of the group remained behind.

It is alleged the other three went to the chicken run and handcuffed Munzverengwi and started assaulting him while demanding keys to the storeroom.

The deceased heard the screaming and went to the chicken run armed with a catapult to investigate, the State said. Allegations are that the three fired shots and hit him on the chest, cheek and stomach.

They tried to open the storeroom but failed and left the scene, it is alleged. Manembe died on admission to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.

The four were arrested on September 10. The State says one of the cars used in commission of the crime has been found.