TWO notorious Zvishavane touts were yesterday remanded in custody for allegedly brutalising a motorist they accused of snatching a passenger.
ALLIEWAY NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Joseph Gota (29) and Tinashe Mhondiwa (34) appeared in the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court where they were initially charged with attempted murder, but the charges were altered to assault after a cross examination.
The State alleged that on August 6, Gota and Mhondiwa were illegally picking up passengers using a Toyota Noah at Danga business centre when they came across a commuter at Pumula bus stop. They told the man to wait saying they were topping up their fuel at a nearby service station.
Their victim Lovemore Moyo (24) got to the Pumula bus stop a few minutes later and picked the passenger and drove past Danga business centre where Gota and Mhondiwa were refuelling their car.
The two spotted the passenger they had asked to wait at the bus stop in Moyo’s car and blocked the vehicle.
They ordered the passenger out of Moyo’s car and then tried to drag him out. Moyo blocked them and they started assaulting him with clenched fists and booted feet until he collapsed before they sped off.
The injured Moyo was rushed to Mberengwa District Hospital before being transferred to Zvishavane General Hospital where it was discovered that he had sustained two broken ribs, a broken jaw and a swollen eye.
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The police tracked Gota and Mhondiwa down and arrested them at the Mberengwa turn-off.
The trial continues on Friday.
