Makokoba teenage killers’ trial begins at High Court Justice Martin Makonese
 Justice Martin Makonese

Justice Martin Makonese

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
THE trial of four teenagers from Makokoba suburb who allegedly connived and fatally stabbed a man from their neighbourhood with a flick knife under unclear circumstances, opened at the Bulawayo High court yesterday.

Floyd Sibanda 18, of Nguboyenja suburb, Leveson Mlotshwa, 18, and Sandile Makhalima,18, and their seventeen year old colleague (name withheld; accused is under 18), all of Burombo Hostels, appeared before Justice Martin Makonese facing a murder charge in connection with the death of Bruce Mashoko, 18, in November last year.

Prosecuting, Khumbulani Ndlovu said on November 8 last year shortly after 11PM, Bruce and his friend Bhekinkosi Sibanda were on their way home from a house in their neighbourhood where they had been watching a soccer match on television.

The court heard they were spotted by the four teenagers.

When Bruce and Bhekinkosi got closer, one member of the gang, Leveson advanced towards them and demanded cigarettes.

Bruce and Bhekinkosi tried to ignore Leveson but his accomplices Sandile, Floyd and the seventeen year old teenager blocked them from proceeding with their journey. The group then grabbed Bruce but Bhekinkosi managed to escape leaving his friend at the mercy of the gang.

The court heard that one of the four teenagers stabbed Bruce with a knife on the left side of the chest and he collapsed.

He was later taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he died on admission.

Bhekinkosi, in his testimony, said he alerted neighbours and led police to the teenagers’ respective homes where they were arrested. He told the court that the gang had on two occasions tried to attack them over a girl whose brother was part of the group.

Bhekinkosi alleged that it was the seventeen year old teenager and Leveson who killed Bruce.

“Leveson and (***) attacked Bruce while Floyd and Sandile chased me but fortunately I managed to outpace them. I didn’t witness Bruce being killed but I heard him screaming for help as I was fleeing,” he said.

Catherine Mavada, a police constable, also testified narrating how she arrested the gang.

She said when she arrived at the scene, Bruce was still conscious and he managed to utter a few words. She then organised transport to ferry Bruce to hospital.

“I received a telephone call from my colleague at Drill Hall informing me about the incident and I quickly rushed to the scene where I found people gathered around Bruce who was writhing in pain. When I asked Bruce who was behind his attack he simply said ‘get me an ambulance Foboza (Floyd) stabbed me, I’m dying,” said Mavada.

She said Bhekinkosi managed to track down the four teenagers and found one of them in possession of the blood stained knife that was used to commit the offence.

Mavada said one of the teenagers, Sandile, who was found hiding under a pile of clothes in a wardrobe at his parents’ home, led police to the homes of the other members of the gang.

The seventeen year old teenager, who is being represented by Leslie Sibanda, in his defence said he was provoked by Bruce.

Floyd, through his lawyer Doreen Phulu, denied conniving with his friends. He also argued that he did not give their seventeen year old accomplice the knife which was used to commit the crime.

Emmanuel Mlalazi, who is representing Leveson, said his client did not participate in the murder of Bruce.

Sandile, through his lawyer Nkosilathi Mlala, also argued that he was not part of the gang that killed Bruce.

The trial continues today.

You Might Also Like

Comments