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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A GWERU man, who allegedly killed a workmate following an undisclosed dispute before attempting to commit suicide by drinking engine coolant, has been granted $100 bail pending trial at the High Court.

Guide Nicholas Takavarasha (62) of Mkoba 15 suburb is now recuperating at Gweru General Hospital following the suicide attempt. Takavarasha, through his lawyer Ms Lucy Duve of Legal Aid Directorate, last week filed a bail application pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as the respondent.

Justice Nicholas Mathonsi on Thursday granted Takavarasha $100 bail and ordered him to reside at his given address until the matter is finalised.

In his ruling, the judge ordered Takavarasha to report at Gweru Central Police Station once every fortnight and not interfere with State witnesses as part of the bail conditions.

Takavarasha allegedly struck Trevor Gezana with a metal pipe on the head several times and he died on the spot.

In his application, Takavarasha pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder, arguing that he acted in self defence following an altercation with the deceased.

Ms Duve said if given bail her client would not abscond because he has no passport.

“The accused person is of fixed abode and resides at his given address in Mkoba 15. He is a family man and breadwinner looking after his four children and three grandchildren and he is not a holder of a Zimbabwean passport,” she said.

Takavarasha said he tried to commit suicide out of panic.

Ms Nokuthaba Ngwenya, for the State, argued that if given bail Takavarasha was likely to abscond given the gravity of the crime.

She also argued that there was a likelihood that if granted bail, Takavarasha could endanger his life given that he once tried to commit suicide.

“Applicant is known to the witnesses and he may interfere with them if released on bail. There is no guarantee that applicant will not attempt to take his own life in view of the fact that he is hospitalised for attempting to commit suicide,” said Ms Ngwenya.

The court heard that some time this year, Takavarasha had an undisclosed dispute with Gezana.

Takavarasha armed himself with four metal pipes and hit Gezana on the head and he fell down. Takavarasha continued striking Gezana as he lay unconscious on the ground until he died.

After realising that he had committed murder, Takavarasha tried to commit suicide by drinking engine coolant. He was however, stopped by witnesses who reported the matter to the police and rushed him to hospital.

— @mashnets