Masendeke fugitive nabbed

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FUGITIVE Kwekwe murder suspect Timothy Ernest Masendeke, who has been on the run since March this year, was arrested on Saturday and appeared in court.

FUGITIVE Kwekwe murder suspect Timothy Ernest Masendeke, who has been on the run since March this year, was arrested on Saturday and appeared in court yesterday. BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER

Masendeke, who allegedly beat Jonathan Mpofu of Mbizo to death on March 29 accused the police of assaulting him and stealing his money after his arrest at the weekend.

The heavily built suspect who together with his brothers Elson and Edward stands accused of having hacked Mpofu with a machete was arrested by about 15 police officers in Rimuka following a tip off.

Appearing in court before resident magistrate Taurai Manwere, Masendeke said the police officers beat him up with baton sticks before stealing $110 which was in his pockets.

“There were about 15 police officers who mobbed me. They beat me up with baton sticks injuring my left eye and head in the process and I am sure I need medical examination,” he said.

Manwere instructed prosecutor Fiona Mkwena to investigate the allegations of assault and theft by the police before remanding Masendeke in custody to December 31. He joined his sibling Elson who was arrested soon after the murder.

Masendeke, in his warned and cautioned statement compiled by a Detective Sergeant Marisa (57486J), admitted to having assaulted Moyo after the deceased allegedly broke his pint of beer.

He also implicated Nhamo Gore and Tafara Makwala who were not mentioned in initial police investigations. His other brother Edward is still at large as police continue investigations into Mpofu’s murder.

It is the State’s case that on March 29, Elson — in the company of his brothers Ernest and Edward, Lazarus Mukarati and another man only known as Mahofa had an altercation with the now deceased at a bar in Mbizo 4.

The five allegedly assaulted Mpofu with fists, sticks and a machete which was recovered under Elson’s bed in Rimuka during his arrest.

“He sustained deep cuts on his forehead and several bruises all over his body and bled through the nose and mouth,” reads part of the statement.

The Masendeke brothers are sibblings to Edgar who was hanged in 2002 for murder.