The bail application of two men accused of hijacking and killing a traffic officer earlier this year was dismissed by the Mutale Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Muano Nekhubvi (22) and Rotshidzwa Munyai (26) were arrested at Khubvi village on 15 January. Their bail application was first heard on 11 September, postponed to 18 September, and finalised on 22 September.
The case took a dramatic turn when Det-Sgt Aluwani Sumbana, the investigating officer, was asked to detail the circumstances of the killing. His testimony prompted close family members, fellow traffic officers, and friends of the late officer, Mbulaheni Patrick Netshidziivhani, to break down in tears.
Sumbana told the court that the suspects had said they had seen Netshidziivhani's car parked at the foot of Lukau Mountain and assumed he had been exercising. They lay in wait and, when he appeared, grabbed him, pushed him into thick bushes, and stole his car keys, cash, and cell phone.
"They then used one of the laces from his boots to tie his hands before strangling him with another," Sumbana said. The two allegedly dumped his body in the dense Khunguni Forest and fled with his vehicle, which was later recovered in Tshiulungoma village. Investigations led the police to Khubvi village, where the suspects were arrested.
During Monday's hearing, the defence argued for bail, while the state pointed out that Nekhubvi was already out on bail on a rape charge and Munyai for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. "Both broke their bail conditions by committing murder while they were out on bail. Both accused failed to prove exceptional circumstances to justify release," the prosecutor said.
Mag Theodore Mathivha noted community anger over alleged criminals' being granted bail and then committing further crimes. She said the accused had lied about their criminal records and had no fixed addresses where the police could locate them if they evaded court proceedings.