Crime and Courts

Man in court for murder in self-defense against armed robbers

SHARON NYAYA

MBERENGWA-Takundavamwenye Mhazo (38) of stand number 408 Bricks Village in Mberengwa District is in custody for murder and attempted murder in self defense as armed robbers pounced on Clifton 14 Mine last month.

Mhazo appeared before Mberengwa Magistrate, Charity Tonongera on Monday May 8, 2023 facing two counts of attempted murder and one count of murder when he fired shots trying to save his colleagues and himself from armed robbers at Clifton 14 mine on April 19, 2023.

It is alleged that Mhazo shot two robbers Brighton Lookout Phiri who died five days after the incident and Benjamin Shoko (26) of Mherevutsvene Village under Chief Chingoma in Mberengwa who was injured and is currently remanded in Mberengwa prison for robbery.

Mhazo also accidentally shot his colleague (co-worker) Tendai Matambanadzo (36) who was the victim of robbery. Matambanadzo was allegedly shot when Mhazo randomly fired the gun in the darkness to scare away the armed robbers.

Mhazo was remanded in custody to May 14, 2023 for continuation of trial.

In his defense <hazo told the court that he did not intentionally commit the crime but he was defending himself and his colleagues from the robbers who were armed with Machetes and catapults and were charging at them.

Representing the State, Ali Mutausi said that on April 19, 2023 at around 1am the deceased together with his accomplices Welldone Phiri, Cleopas Shenjere, Tafadzwa and Pardon proceeded to Clifton 14 mine armed with machetes and catapults.

They manhandled Simukai Scott (40) and Tendai Matambanadzo and robbed them of US$55, an Itel cellphone, an H-mobile phone and an Itel P36 cellphone.

The deceased and his accomplices started to load gold ore belonging to Mhazo into 50kg empty bags of cement. Whilst loading the ore, Mhazo who is the sponsor at the mine arrived in company of Martin Mangwana and Gideon Chikwanda driving a vehicle which they parked outside the mine.

Mhazo and Chikwanda proceeded to the shafts unaware that there was a robbery in process. The now deceased and his colleagues confronted Mhazo and struck Chikwanda with axes on the right arm, once on the leg and once on the right palm and he fell into a pit on the mine.

They went on to attack Mhazo who was armed with a CZ Vizor pistol loaded with nine rounds. They wrestled with him until he withdrew his firearm, fired randomly at the now deceased and his colleagues who fled into the darkness.

Shoko who is the complainant on count one of attempted murder was shot once on the left side of the head and was subsequently apprehended at the scene and is now remanded in custody for robbery.

Matambanadzo was accidentally shot twice on the stomach while he was coming to assist his colleague Mhazo.

On April 24, 2023 at around 7am, Tawanda Fingers stumbled upon the deceased groaning in pain in a small pit 70m from Clifton 14 mine. Fingers informed the police and the deceased was taken to ZRP Mberengwa where he was taken to Mberengwa District Hospital for treatment. He died on the same day at around 08:45pm whilst on admission. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Mhazo for murder and attempted murder.

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