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Prosper Dembedza, Herald Correspondent

A SUSPECTED robber yesterday appeared in court on allegations of severely attacking their victim with iron bars and a golf club, leading to his death.

Jealous Samoyo (41) was facing murder charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Simon Kandiero.

He was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

Allegations are that on July 11, 2019 at about 2am, Samoyo, who was in the company of Job Vambe who has already been remanded on the matter, while others are still at large, hatched a plan to rob the now deceased Wellington Marongedze.

They proceeded to his place of residence while armed with iron bars, a golf club and a gun.

The team allegedly gained entry into Marongedze’s house through the kitchen door before proceeding to his bedroom where he was sleeping in the company of his wife, Mavis Ndewere.

The court heard that Samoyo and his accomplices started assaulting Marongedze with iron bars and a golf club all over the body, demanding cash and other  valuables.

One of them fired a gunshot towards the roof, threatening to kill him before stealing ZWL$70 and an Itel cell phone from Marongedze’s trousers’ pocket.

They continued assaulting him demanding cash and the robbers were directed to his vehicle parked outside where they took US$1 000 from the dashboard.

It is alleged that Samoyo and his accomplices fled the scene, leaving Marongedze seriously injured.

He was then taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital since his condition was getting worse and was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit where he stayed until July 28, 2019 before passing away due to the injuries sustained.

A spent cartridge was picked up at the scene and was taken to CID Forensic Ballistics for examination.

The court heard that a Brescia pistol, serial number 116914, was recovered after having been abandoned at a scene of crime in Chitungwiza.

It was also sent to CID Forensic Ballistics for examination and the results proved the firearm was the one fired on July 19, 2019 at Marongedze’s house and it matched the cartridge recovered at the scene.

Investigations proved that Samoyo is the registered owner of the firearm and it was registered in his name by the time of the offence.

However, Samoyo said the firearm was with Vambe, who signed for the firearm and its certificate at a gun shop, but did not hand it over to him for a year.