Herdboy guilty of triple murder

Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday July 7, 2016 16:32

 

This came to the fore in a case in which Mugundu Moshanga was found guilty of shooting to death Mozulu Jackson and his wife Katiko Jackson and their nephew, Kaikura Kebonyekgosi, at Chikumuchu village near Shakawe in April 2009.

Moshanga was also convicted of one count of robbing the Jacksons P1,000 and their cellphones before he shot them.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo said the accused killed the deceased persons when they went to the cattlepost to look for their stray cattle.

“On the way the deceased met Moshanga who snatched Katiko Jackson’s bag which contained money and cellphones. Mozulu Jackson then tried to hit Moshanga with a knobkerrie but before he could hit him, Moshanga withdrew a gun from the holster then shot Mozulu on the shoulder and left him to die,” said Nyamadzabo adding that Mozulu bled profusely.

The judge said Moshanga then continued to kill Katiko and Kebonyekgosi.

“The accused then dragged his victims who were still bleeding profusely under a tree. It should be noted that the place where the accused shot his victims is a dense bush with a lot of dangerous wild animals. There is no evidence that wild animals ate the deceased. Although there is no witness who saw what transpired, it can safely be concluded that it is the accused who shot the deceased,” said Nyamadzabo.

The accused, Nyamadzabo said, claimed that he had smoked dagga whilst in the bush before he met the deceased. He blamed the drug for his dangerous actions although he does not explain why he left the deceased who were still alive, to die in the bush.

“The accused gave unsworn evidence and did not call any witnesses to testify on his behalf. In my view, I find that the state has proved its case against him beyond reasonable doubt. He is therefore found guilty of all the three offences,” said Nyamadzabo.

Nyamadzabo postponed the matter to July 20 for the defence counsel Unangoni Tema to give evidence of any extenuating circumstances that led the accused to commit the offences.

Tapiwa Machola of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) represented the state.