Traffic officers and members of the public packed the Mutale Magistrate's Court on Monday morning as two men accused of hijacking and killing traffic officer Mbulaheni Patrick "Gemo" Netshidzivhani made their first appearance.
Rotshidzwa Munyai (26) and Muano Nekhubvi (21) allegedly accosted Netshidzivhani while he was exercising near Khunguni Mountain. They are accused of killing him, dumping his body in the dense Khunguni Forest, and fleeing with his vehicle.
After an intensive search by a task team comprising family members, traffic officers, and SAPS members, Netshidzivhani's car was found parked in Tshiulungoma village. Further investigations led the police to Khubvi village, where the two suspects were arrested.
The state prosecutor told the court that investigators were still awaiting the crime-scene photo album and postmortem results. The case was postponed to 24 April for further police investigations.
However, some members of the community expressed frustration over the delay, saying the trial should proceed immediately.
"We are spending a lot of money coming to court, and instead of the two facing trial, the case is postponed while they are being fed with our taxes. They were caught red-handed with the deceased's car - what more evidence is needed?" said one angry woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity.