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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
PROSECUTORS in Victoria Falls have charged a second man over the killing of high school pupil, Praise Mpofu, and the brutal assault of her boyfriend, Brian Dube, on July 15.

Augustine Ncube, 28, of Pumula North in Bulawayo, was arrested last Friday at Mac’s Garage in Bulawayo while boarding a South Africa-bound minibus. He had previously evaded arrest when police cornered him at a funeral in Kezi.

Dozens of Victoria Falls residents thronged the Magistrates’ Court but many were turned away as the courtroom was full to capacity.

Ncube was not asked to plead to murder and robbery charges when he appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate, Sharon Rosemani.

Dressed in a black, white and green zebra-striped golf T-shirt and a pair of sandals, Ncube told the court that he was not ready to speak, claiming that he was in deep pain following his alleged assault by the police.

He spoke in a hushed voice that was hardly audible as he claimed to be experiencing serious pain in the ribs.

“I understand but I can’t say anything now because I was heavily beaten by the police. I don’t know their names but I can positively identify them,” said Ncube.

He alleged detectives used a knobkerrie to assault him on the neck, shoulder, knees and ribs.

“My ribs are very painful and I can hardly speak because of the pain. Police used a knobkerrie to beat me,” he said.

Ncube’s alleged accomplice, Nhlanganiso Luphahla, also from Pumula suburb, made similar claims of assault when he appeared before the same court last week.

Rosemani remanded Ncube in custody to August 7 and told him that the State would investigate the assault allegations.

The State led by Listen Nare opposed bail on the grounds that Ncube was a flight risk since he had been on the run.

Prosecutors say on July 15, Ncube, in the company of Luphahla, 35, of Old Pumula, approached Mpofu, 16, who was with her boyfriend, Brian Dube, 21, at the Rainforest VIP side along Zambezi Drive.

“Ncube picked a log and struck Brian on the back of the head and he fell down,” said Nare.

He said the two force-marched the two lovers, both pupils at Mosi-oa-Tunya High, to a secluded place on the banks of the Zambezi River.

While there, the court heard, Ncube and Luphahla forced the two to undress before assaulting Brian for the second time until he lost consciousness.

Ncube allegedly remained guarding Brian while Luphahla led Mpofu towards the river where he attempted to rape her before assaulting the girl with an unknown blunt object until she died.

Luphahla allegedly dumped the body in the Zambezi River and Praise’s body was found floating in the river.

The court heard that Ncube and Luphahla used a laptop cord to tie Brian’s hands and legs before stealing a laptop, cellphone, cash and satchel from the pupils.

Ncube was allegedly found with some of the stolen goods. Luphahla is also in custody and will be back in court on August 4.