Rutendo Rori Marondera Correspondent
A 20-year-old Mutoko man, who on Monday allegedly murdered a teacher from St George’s High School in Harare while she was praying at a shrine in Mutoko, appeared in court yesterday. Enock Potani of Chiuriri Village under Chief Mutoko appeared before Mutoko magistrate Batanai Madzingira accused of murdering Ms Plaxedes Kamundiya (49) at the Glorious Cross of Life, also known as the Blue Cross in Mutoko.
He was remanded in custody to November 8 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court considering the serious nature of his charges. Prosecutor Ms Violet Gandashanga said Ms Kamundiya’s body was found floating in Mutemwa Dam. Allegations were that on Monday at around 10:30am, Ms Kamundiya arrived at Mother of Peace Community in Mutoko and was welcomed by Ms Juliet Haurovi (37) whom she told that she was on a tour of assessment on preparations for a visit scheduled for October 27 with students from St George’s High School.
Ms Kamundiya was told about the Blue Cross shrine near the centre and decided to visit it. Ms Haurovi then retired for a siesta and woke up around 4:30pm only to realise that Ms Kamundiya’s motor vehicle was still parked. She sent two children to look for her at the Blue Cross, but could not locate her. Ms Haurovi went on a search with another woman, but their efforts were also in vain.
It is alleged that the following day, Ms Haurovi teamed up again with Robert Panganai (37) of Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Mutoko and Givemore Chibanda (32) and continued to search for Ms Kamundiya. They met Potani, who allegedly confessed he had seen Ms Kamundiya the previous day. They went to Mutemwa Dam where they discovered Ms Kamundiya’s body floating and reported the case to police at Mutoko. Potani became the first suspect and was found with some items suspected to belong to Ms Kamundiya.