Another Chinese up for attempted murder

ACHINESE national appeared at Mutoko Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday facing attempted murder charges after he fired four shots at a farmer, but missed, following a land boundary dispute on June 21, 2020.

Wang Ziliang (41), site manager at Komborero Services that operates a mining venture in Mudzi, was initially charged with unlawful firearm discharge, but the prosecutor amended it before his appearance in court.

Mutoko magistrate Elijah Sibanda set July 21 as trial date for Ziliang, who is out on US$2 000 bail, for contravening section 189 as read with section 47 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 defined as attempted murder.

Ziliang was represented by Gilbert Majirija of Brenda Matanga Attorneys.

The complainant is Francis Chikonyora (29) a communal farmer in Kaupfu village, Chief Nechombo, Mudzi.

The court heard that on June 21 at around 10am, Chikonyora saw an excavator belonging to the accused person’s company clearing trees in his fields. He stopped the driver Rangarirai Muhezu from uprooting his trees.

Ziliang, who had instructed the driver to clear the trees, came to the scene and an argument arose between the two who claimed ownership of the land.

Sekai Chipuriro and Muza Chikonyora witnessed the argument.

Ziliang left in a huff and came back brandishing a loaded Taurus revolver.

“Approximately 10 metres away, Ziliang pointed the gun at Chikonyora that forced him to panic and lie on the ground. Undeterred, the accused fired four shots towards Chikonyora, but missed his target,” prosecutor Crispen Chikafu told the court.

Chikonyora fled and called the police who instituted investigations and recovered the revolver.

The State opposed bail, saying Ziliang was a flight risk.

But Majirija said his client was not facing a serious offence and had no previous convictions.

“The accused handed himself over to the police when he heard that they were looking for him and co-operated with investigations. Furthermore, ports of entry are closed due to COVID-19 so he cannot flee,” Majirija said.

Sibanda granted Ziliang bail on condition that he surrenders his passport to the clerk of court and report once a week at Makosa Police Station.