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Emily Mbewe Court Reporter
A MAN’s assault charge was yesterday altered to a murder charge after the man he severely assaulted with a log all over his body died at Mpilo Central Hospital.Mthokozisi Mkandla, 26, of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing a new charge of murder.

Mkandla had initially pleaded guilty to the assault charge.

He was remanded in custody to June 10 and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

“You’re advised to apply for bail at the High Court because this court does not have the power to grant you bail,” said Msipa-Marondedze.

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said on May 3 at around 7PM Mkandla met Mpithizeli Ncube on his way to his place of residence in Cowdray Park.

“Mkandla started assaulting Ncube with a log all over his body,” said Mageza.

The reasons why Mkandla assaulted Ncube were not stated in court.

The court heard that Ncube was seen the next morning lying on a path by a woman only identified as MaNcube who was going to fetch water at a well.

He told the court that MaNcube took Ncube to her home where she called the police and he was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital.