Zimpapers Logo

Bosso fan murder suspects being led to the court holding cells at the magistrates courts at Tredgold building in Bulawayo yesterday

Mpumelelo Nyoni Court Reporter
NINE Dynamos supporters suspected of killing a Highlanders fan were yesterday granted bail as two other Bosso supporters also tasted freedom after having earlier been arrested for malicious damage to property in connection with last week’s highly  charged match between the two football teams in Bulawayo.

The late Thembelenkosini Hloli, 23, and two of his friends, Nkosiphile Lusinga, 19, and Decent Sibanda, 26, allegedly smashed the window of a Toyota Spacio the nine Dynamos supporters were  travelling in following a match that the Harare side won 1-0.

The three were pursued and prosecutors say the subsequent attack on Hloli was fatal.

Magistrate Sibongile Msipa yesterday granted the nine suspects $50 bail each and also remanded them to September 5.

Emmason Msipa, 44, Honest Makhala, 28, Onisimo Maphosa, 33, Rogder Dye “Murehwa” Trechsen, 42, Pretty Ndora, 27, Margaret Mpofu, 23, and George Chapindura, 43, Nandi Nyoni, 31 and Chamas Misiwo, 29, heaved a sigh of relief yesterday amid a packed court gallery that greeted them with cheers.

In passing judgment, Msipa criticised Detective Sergeant Edward Majawa who was on Wednesday brought in to testify.

During his testimony, Det Sgt Majawa failed to give substantial evidence linking the nine suspects to the crime.

“Majawa was called to give reasons for opposing bail and he said that statements were recorded from an unknown eyewitness and a guard, but their whereabouts are unknown. He, however, admitted that he hadn’t even read their statements,” said Msipa.

Det Sgt Majawa also alleged that Msipa and Makhala were flight risks because they were of no fixed abode and that they did not turn themselves in to the police when their alleged accomplices were arrested.

“The state opposed bail as a routine. The application made by Majawa, who has been a police officer for 14 years, induces shock as he is ignorant of what the term fixed abode means. Fixed abode simply means one doesn’t live on the streets or on a tree.

“The police need to be informed of the grounds for denying bail,” said Msipa.

She also criticised the police for failure to carry out their duty as public officials, saying the nine accused were all good candidates for bail.

“The police just arrested to give themselves time to investigate. You first investigate then arrest and not vice versa,” said the magistrate.

Meanwhile, Hloli’s friends Lusinga, 19, and Sibanda, 26, appeared in court on Wednesday facing a charge of malicious damage to property after Misiwo, a police officer based at Hwange Traffic section who is a suspect in the Hloli case, reported them on Saturday during the post-match skirmishes for smashing his vehicle with an unknown object.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded out of custody to August 28 after paying $50 bail each.

Prosecuting, Tafadzwa Mustambiwa told the court that Hloli, Lusinga and Sibanda were rowdy.

“Lusinga, Sibanda and Hloli were violent coming from the Barbourfields Stadium and damaged the rear windscreen of Misiwo’s vehicle with an unknown object,” he said.

Mutsambiwa said Lusinga and Sibanda were arrested but Hloli died at Avon (Pvt) Limited along Waverley Road while fleeing.