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A policeman leads a Pakistani national Arsalani Ammed, who allegedly stabbed his colleague, into the Harare Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
A Pakistani national who recently attempted to murder his wealthy compatriot who brought him to Zimbabwe and secured him employment in a desperate bid to inherit his business empire, on Wednesday wept in court while pleading for forgiveness.
Arsalani Ammed (24) confessed to striking Muhammed Ovais (31) with a gas cylinder before mercilessly stabbing him with a knife while he watched television.

Appearing before Harare regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya, Ammed, whose judgment and sentence will be delivered today, said he intended to kill Ovais so that he could loot his money before fleeing to Mozambique.

“I stabbed him three to four times with intention to kill him,” he said.

“I wanted to take all his money and go to Mozambique.”

Mr Mujaya asked him if he had anything to say before his judgment and he started crying. “I made a very big mistake of my life,” said Ammed.

“I just need to go back to my country.

“I have learnt a lesson and I accept that I am guilty, but what I am asking from you is pardon.

“I promise I will never repeat the same mistake, please.”

The knife which Ammed used to stab Ovais was produced in court as an exhibit. On July 21 this year Ovais and Ammed had a misunderstanding over stocktaking which was supposed to be carried out.

At around 7pm Ovais was in his sitting room watching television when Ammed struck him on the head from behind with a gas cylinder.
Ammed went on to stab Ovais thrice with the knife in the stomach.

Ovais was rescued by his gardener, Marshal Manhando, who made arrangements for him to be taken to hospital.

Arsalani Ammed pretended to have been injured as well and asked Ovais’ friend Nimesh Dullabh to be taken to hospital and jumped out of the moving vehicle along the way and ran away.

He was arrested on August 4 at the immigration offices while attempting to sort out his papers in the hope that he would escape.