Gwanda Correspondent

THREE suspected gold panners who were among a group that allegedly stoned to death the son of prominent war veteran in Matabeleland South, Cde Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda, Mandlenkosi, were on Wednesday arraigned before the court facing a murder charge. Admire Makoni (23), Brighton Munyira (27) and Peter Manyuchi (18) appeared before Gwanda magistrate Ms Sheila Nazombe to answer to a charge of murder.

The three were not asked to plead but were advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

They were remanded in custody to 19 March.

The State alleges that on 25 February at about 11pm at Shangani Business Centre along the Bulawayo-Harare highway, Mandlenkosi was drinking beer with friends, when a misunderstanding arose over some tribal issues.

It is alleged that Mandlenkosi together with his friend Mlamuleli Tshuma confronted and accused the three of exploiting gold in Matabeleland.

The dispute turned ugly and the three accused persons together with six other suspects, who are still at large, armed themselves with bricks and stones.

The State alleges that the accused persons started throwing stones at everyone and Mandlenkosi ran towards the accused persons.

The accused persons allegedly pelted Mandlenkosi with stones and one of them hit him in the head and he died on the spot from injuries sustained.

The matter was reported to police, which led to the arrest three days after the incident.

Mr Edward Ndlovu represented the State.