HARARE – A 20-year-old street dweller was dragged to court Thursday facing murder following an incident in which he and his accomplices who are still at large tracked down and attacked a man who had just exited a night spot in the Harare CBD last week.
Takudzwa Mombeshora appeared before Harare magistrate Aplonia Marutya who advised him to seek bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Rufaro Chonzi told the court that the incident occurred on January 15 around midnight.
The court heard that Jile Forbes, aged 57, was on his way to find transport to his home in Dzivarasekwa when Mombeshora and other street dwellers ambushed him in one of the city streets.
The court further heard the gang grabbed his sling bag and wrestled him to the ground.
Forbes’ died on the spot after his head hit the tarmac, the court was told.
“The accused then searched Forbes’ pockets, stealing his wallet containing $10 in cash, an Itel 70 cell phone, and other belongings before fleeing the scene, leaving him lying unconscious on the ground,” prosecutors allege.
His body was later discovered by another street dweller who went on to inform the police.
Forbes’ body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where a post-mortem revealed he had died from head trauma and a subdural hematoma.
On January 21, police received information about Mombeshora’s whereabouts after he had gone into hiding following the crime.
Detectives tracked him down to Copacabana bus terminus.
Mombeshora was said to have turned violent and bit one of the officers when an attempt was made to arrest him.
He will be back in court on February 7 for his routine remand.
