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Fairness Moyana Court Reporter
A SUSPECT in the murder of conservationist Gregory Leonard Gibbard who was axed last week at his cottage in Dete, made an initial remand appearance yesterday at the Hwange Magistrates’ Court. Xmas Mpofu, 35, a former employee of Painted Dogs Conservancy (PDC) was arrested at the weekend by detectives at his homestead in Lupote village under Chief Nelukoba Dingani. He was found in possession of the alleged murder weapon.

Gibbard, an Australian national, who was working at PDC as a volunteer accountant was found murdered at his cottage near Hwange National Park, sending shock waves in the wildlife conservation community.

Allegations as presented by the state led by Alfred Mzizi are that on 7 April and at around 9PM Mpofu proceeded to PDC senior staff cottages armed with an axe where he struck Gibbard, 62 at the back of the neck leading to his death.

His body was later found in a pool of blood lying face down by a security guard.

At the scene police recovered two blue buttons which matched with a shirt found at Mpofu’s homestead during a search. Closer analysis of the shirt revealed blood stains on the buttons and two missing bottom buttons which are suspected to have come off the shirt. Detectives also recovered an axe whose wooden handle had blood spots.

Provincial magistrate Portia Mhlanga remanded him in custody.

Mpofu who was represented by Tonderai Mukuku of Mukuku and Marondedze Legal practitioners is expected to appear again soon in court for bail application.

It is said Mpofu who was dismissed from work after being involved in an accident with the organisation’s vehicle on an unsanctioned trip was bitter over the severance package he was awarded.

“He was bitter over the $2,000 he was given by the organisation after being fired from work over an accident that damaged the conservancy’s vehicle last year. He is understood to have threatened Gibbard with unspecified action if they (PDC) did not address his grievance,” said a source.

Grounds of suspicion rose from the threats Mpofu allegedly made using emails and text messages which were recovered during investigations, the court was told.