Sweet Sweet killer seeks bail

A MAN who allegedly fatally stabbed a Nyamandlovu farmer, Cde Steward Sweet Sweet, with a screw driver before shooting him in the head, has approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.

Popularly known as Cde Sweet Sweet, the Zanu-PF member who was aged 56 at the time of his death in March last year, was allegedly killed about three kilometres from his farm in Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North.

Martin Chipande (36) allegedly stabbed Cde Sweet Sweet with a screwdriver in the head for allegedly intruding into his homestead located a few kilometres from Cde Sweet Sweet’s farm.

Cde Sweet Sweet was found dead in his car with a CZ pistol in his right hand. He had a gunshot wound on his head making it appear as if he had committed suicide.

Passersby discovered the Zanu-PF member in his car on the road the following morning before alerting his employees, neighbours and the police.

Chipande, through his lawyers

Mashindi and Associates, filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.

Chipande of Umguzana village in Nyamandlovu area of Umguza district is facing a murder charge.

In his bail statement, Chipande who is denying the charge, said if admitted to bail he would not abscond, arguing that he has a valid defence against the charge levelled against him.

Chipande argued that the ballistic report is not conclusive proof that he was in possession of the gun, which is alleged to have been seized from the now-deceased and used to shoot him.

“The applicant has no criminal charge pending against him. If admitted to bail, he will not abscond because of a valid defence and it is in his best interest to prove his innocence,” argued Chipande’s lawyers.

He said he was of ill-health hence his continued incarceration impacted negatively on his health.

Chipande said there were no compelling reasons by the State warranting his continued detention and offered to bail $1 000 bail.

He also offered to report twice a week at Tshabalala Police Station and to continue residing at his given address until the matter is finalised.

The State is yet to respond to Chipande’s application.

In papers before the court, it was stated that on March 27 this year, Cde Sweet Sweet who was armed with a CZ pistol, went to the accused’s home at around 11PM where he allegedly intended to sneak into Chipande’s step daughter, Beatrice Moyo’s bedroom.

He tried to open the door and the accused person woke up and confronted Cde Sweet Sweet resulting in an altercation between them. Chipande allegedly disarmed Cde Sweet Sweet before he went to his room and returned carrying a screwdriver which he allegedly used to stab the deceased several times on the head. Cde Sweet Sweet fled from the scene with the accused in hot pursuit.

Chipande alerted his neighbours and they followed Cde Sweet Sweet and found him lying dead, a few metres from the homestead clutching his gun in his right hand. He had a gunshot wound and other injuries on his head.—@mashnets