A 35-YEAR-OLD man yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing assault and attempted murder charges after he allegedly shot and injured a five-year-old child during a land dispute in Glen View.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Lazarus Mudowaya was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa, who remanded him in custody to December 14.
It is the State’s case that on October 11 this year, Mudowaya armed himself with a shotgun which he had taken from Lloyd Chiwandire and proceeded to Amalinda Farm, Harare n the company of three other accused.
The State alleges upon arrival, Mudowaya confronted Amalinda Farm compound residents, accusing them of demarcating and allocating themselves residential stands on Chiwandire’s plot.
It is alleged Mudowaya and his accomplices assaulted Anyway Matekenya, Ronaida Zomba, Elizabeth Mukango, Zodwa Kamuruko and others with open hands. The residents escaped and hid in a nearby bush.
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Mudowaya loaded the shotgun with 12-bore rounds which he was carrying and started firing indiscriminately in the direction that the residents were fleeing. It is alleged Zomba, who was in the bedroom hut with his mother and other children, was shot on the right leg.
After committing the offence, the suspects allegedly got into their vehicle and drove away. A case was reported at Marimba Police Station and Zomba was taken to hospital where Dr Nyashadzashe Makova examined the complainant and surgically removed the lead pellet.
On October 12, police officers arrested Mudowaya in Warren Park where he led them to his residence and they recovered the shotgun. Investigations showed that the gun was unlicensed.