Two in custody for murder

Michael Mashiri

Two men have been arraigned to court for murder after posing as commuters looking for transport before they stabbed the driver and pushing him out of the moving car, leading to his death.

Azion Kosiwe and Cephas Rice appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court accused of murder, contravening Section 47 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9.23.

Magistrate Dennis Mangosi presided over the case.

The State, through Zebediah Bofu, alleges that on February 27, 2023 at around 2200 hours, Kosiwe Rice - together with his accomplices, Finity Rice and one Madzibaba, who are still at large, hired the now-deceased Josphat Ruzvidzo along Charter Road, Harare CBD to ferry them to Uplands, Waterfalls, in Harare.

Ruzvidzo was driving a silver Toyota Wish, which he was used as a taxi from town to Waterfalls.

When they reached Msasa area, Waterfalls, the two pounced on Ruzvidzo and stabbed him twice on the head with an okapi knife.

They went on to remove the front passenger seat belts and tied his hands on the back and his legs.

The two stole Ruzvidzo’s two phones, Hp laptop and unknown amount of cash.

One of the two took over the steering wheel and drove towards Simon Mazorodze Road.

They then pushed Ruzvidzo out from the moving car at an unnamed road behind Zim-Meal, off Simon Mazorodze Road, Harare which resulted in Ruzvidzo sustaining serious injuries and later succumbing to head injuries.

The two later drove the car and dumped it along Bulawayo Road near Kuwadzana Roundabout.

Investigations which were carried out led to the arrest of Kosiwe and Rice. Kosiwe was first to be arrested at his house and he lured Rice to meet him at his house, leading to his arrest.

On March 9. 2023 the two revealed under camera how they committed the offence together with their accomplices. The total value stolen is yet to be ascertained.

Kosiwe and Rice advised them to approach the High Court for bail and return to court on March 24, 2023.