The two suspects, who recently brutally murdered a 28- year-old South Africa man by stabbing him with a knife before robbing him of R50 at Dumba Village near Beitbridge town in Zimbabwe, jointly appeared in court on Tuesday, 24 July, and the case was postponed to 7 August for sentencing.

Jacob Muleya (34) and Matodzi Muudza (25) who were arrested on separate occasions appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu. They were both remanded in custody.

The court was told that on (Sunday) 27 April at around 22:00 at Dumba village, about 15km from Beitbridge town in Zimbabwe, the victim was with his cousin and they were coming from drinking beer at a nearby homestead, when they were confronted by the three suspects. One of the suspects, who were wielding knives and knobkerries, then grabbed the victim by the collar, while others searched his pockets before robbing him of R50.

They then stabbed him several times all over his body, using a knife, and he died on the spot. However, the victim’s cousin managed to escape and the suspects tried to chase after him, but he managed to outpace them.

Muudza was arrested in May following a public tip-off as he reportedly attempted to skip the border into South Africa and Muleya was netted in on June 10, while drinking traditional beer at a local tavern.

The third suspect is still at large; it is suspected he could have fled to South Africa.