HARARE – Three soldiers have been charged with murder after a man they brutally assaulted later died from his injuries.
Private Mbonisi Moyo, 23, Lance Corporal Givemore Munyaradzi Jonga, 29, and Kennedy Chipangura, 32, were held without bail following a brief appearance before Harare magistrate Yeukai Nzuda on Wednesday.
Prosecuting, Ruvimbo Matyatya said on December 24 last year, the three soldiers approached victim Blessing Kandido, 26, who worked as a caretaker at MC Credit House at the corner of Mbuya Nehanda and Speke Avenue in Harare.
They left Kandido a satchel containing uniforms and a few beers for “safekeeping.”
The trio returned for their satchel on January 16 last month but Kandido informed them that he had been robbed of the satchel.
This incensed the three soldiers who punched and kicked him and left him for dead.
Kandido was treated for head injuries at Parirenyatwa Hospital and discharged.
On January 24, Kandido’s health deteriorated and his uncle took him back to Parirenyatwa where he later died.
A post-mortem report said Kandingo died from “severe head trauma.”
The soldiers who are represented by Zorodzai Dumbura were remanded in custody to February 16. Magistrate Nzuda advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
