CCTV Footage Ousts Traders as Wanted Killers

CCTV cameras mounted outside a wholesale in Rusape assisted in solving a murder case by capturing the suspected killers feigning a hit-and-run accident by throwing a dead body from a moving truck onto the tarmac.

Two suspects who allegedly murdered Mr Maarcus Runduke of Magamba suburb in cold blood were caught on CCTV video throwing his body from a red truck, making it easy for police to apprehend them.

The police investigation into the heinous murder of Mr Runduke, whose body was discovered dumped at Global Brothers Wholesalers opposite the main bus terminal, took a new turn last week on Friday after CCTV footage was handed over to them. The suspects are seen in the video throwing the body from their moving Scania truck onto the tarmac.

When Mr Runduke’s body was discovered, a large crowd gathered, with some speculating on various theories. The widely accepted theory, however, was that Mr Runduke was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. The CCTV footage, on the other hand, told a different story.

Clever Nyabote (28) of Makochere Village, Mutoko, and Takawira Munanzvu (27) of Hopley, Harare, both well-known Rusape potato traders, have since been arrested in connection with the heinous crime.

Nyabote and Munanzvu were apprehended just 12 hours after allegedly committing the crime. The motive for the murder has yet to be determined, as police investigations are ongoing.

They are charged with murder under Section 47 (1) (a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

When the two self-actor suspects appeared before Ms Rufaro Mangwiro, they were not asked to plead. They were remanded in custody until February 23 for routine remand and advised to file a bail application with the High Court.

Miss Nyaradzo Ndachengedzwa prosecuted. She said last week on Thursday, Nyabote and Munanzvu allegedly fatally assaulted Mr Runduke using an iron bar and other unknown, but dangerous weapons.

“During the night of February 9, the accused persons who were travelling in a truck that was being driven by Nyabote picked the now late Mr Runduke in Vengere and drove him towards the Central Business District.

“Along the way, the accused persons fatally assaulted Mr Runduke using a metal bar and other unknown objects all over his body. On reaching the Global Brothers Wholesalers (Madhadha), the accused persons threw the body from their moving truck onto the tarmac and drove off to an unknown destination,” said Miss Ndachengedzwa.

The body was found the following morning with multiple head injuries.

“Mr Runduke’s body was later found lying on the road with multiple head injuries, as well as a deep sharp cut on the groin and scrotum. The body was lying in a pool of blood. The accused persons were captured by a CCTV installed outside Global Brothers Wholesalers as they dumped Mr Runduke’s body on the tarmac,” said Mrs Ndachengedzwa.

She said Nyabote and Munanzvu were arrested on February 10 as they were in the same truck along the Mutare-Harare Highway.

Police recovered a bloodstained murder weapon from the truck.

“The accused persons were arrested the following day aboard their truck as they left Rusape for an unknown destination along the Mutare-Harare Road. The suspects were found with the metal bar that was used to fatally assault Mr Runduke,” said Miss Ndachengedzwa.