Taxi driver killer arrested
HOMICIDE detectives in Rusape have arrested one of the three suspected criminals who, a fortnight ago, callously murdered a famous local taxi driver Emmanuel Ngwarati aka Manex. They arrested Tapiwa Zvemuno, of Epworth, Harare last weekend.
He was sold out after being found in possession of Ngwarati’s mobile handset at the ZIMEX Mall in Harare.
After killing Ngwarati, Zvemuno and two other fugitive criminals, allegedly went on to rob a family in Mabvazuva, and escaped with an assortment of goods.
Zvemuno cut a composed figure when he led detectives to the murder scene for indications and later gave a spine chilling account on how they butchered Ngwarati. During indications, Zvemuno told detectives that their intention was to rob Ngwarati of his white 323 Mazda Familiar for use as a get away vehicle in the robbery escapades they had planned that night.
He further indicated that they ended up assaulting and stabbing him all over the body because he had refused to surrender the vehicle and to disclose his Ecocash pin number.
Zvemuno was arraigned before Rusape magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera facing one count of murder and one of robbery.
He was a self-actor, and Mr Kubonera did not ask him to plead, and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.
The lower court, he said, had no jurisdiction on murder cases.
Prosecutor Mr Gift Mutigwa told the court that the alleged killers hired Ngwarati from the CBD to Magamba turn-off and started assaulting him all over the body with fists and stabbed him several times.
“On November 4, 2018 around 0100hrs, the accused person and his fugitive accomplices hired Ngwarati from the CBD to Magamba turn-off, along Rusape–Mutare road.
“Upon reaching the Magamba turnoff, Zvemuno and his two accomplices dragged Ngwarati out of his vehicle and assaulted him with fists and booted feet all over the body. They also stabbed him all over the body with a knife.
“They then removed Ngwarati’s jean trousers and took away his Vodafone cell phone, two Nokia phones, national identity card and some cash. They tied Ngwarati’s hands on the back with a light canvass belt.
“They then lifted Ngwarati and placed him at the back of his car and dragged him for 40 metres away from the highway. They continued to assault him with a pair of jumpers, demanding that he reveals his Ecocash pin number,’’ he said.
Ngwarati fell unconscious and they drove his vehicle away. They later dumped his vehicle 34km along the Rusape-Nyanga highway. A stolen Vodafone phone was recovered from Zvemuno, who was subsequently arrested and implicated two of his colleagues who are still at large.
The gang then approached house number 1811 Mabvazuva, armed with knives. They broke in and threatened the complainant with knives and stole various properties. Zvemuno led detectives to the recovery of the property.
Mr Kubonera remanded Zvemuno to December 4, 2018 for routine remand.