Popular Mutare club owner Dhunza freed in murder case

By Clayton Masekesa

MUTARE – Daniel Magaisa (37) well known as Dhunza the owner of the popular Dangamvura based night club – Dhunza Night Club – who is facing murder charges was granted ZW$70 000 by the Mutare magistrate Langton Carter Tuesday.

Representing the State, prosecutor Feston Mubvumbi, remanded the matter to November 11 2022.

Magaisa is being charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 together with his three accomplices who include Kuda Chineuriri, Blessing Makore and one Wale, who is still at large for fatally assaulting a patron,Ashley Mbengani (26). accusing him of stealing a patron’s cell phone.

Magaisa and Makore were represented by Mutare lawyer Chris Ndlovu while Chineuriri was represented by Farai Matinhure.

It is alleged that on Sunday October 23, 2022 around 0200hrs at Dhunza Night Club, Boka Shopping complex, in Dangamvura, Chineuriri (29) was at the same night club drinking beer when he alleged the now deceased (Mbengani) to have stolen his cell phone by pick-pocketing.

A scuffle ensued and Chineuriri apprehended the deceased, demanding his cell phone back.

It is alleged that Chineuriri handed over Mbengani to Makore who is a security guard at the premises.

He then handcuffed Mbengani before escorting him to the backyard of the night club in the company of Chineuriri.

It is alleged that both accused (Makore and Chineuriri) took turns to assault Mbengani demanding the stolen cell phone back using open hands, iron bar and a wooden log all over his body.

Magaisa was informed of the incident and he went to the backyard of his Night club in the company of one Wale (who is on the run).

The duo allegedly joined in assaulting the now deceased several times all over his body using the same means.

The court was told that the quartet then left the now deceased lying unconscious behind the shop.

At around 0730 hours, Venenzia Mapuranga, aged (37) also employed by Magaisa went to the backyard of the night club and saw Mbengani seated lifeless, leaning against the durawall.

She then called Magaisa, with the intention of informing him of the matter.

Magaisa and Makore then reported the matter at ZRP Dangamvura.

Police details from the CID Mutare Homicide section arrived at the scene and observed that the deceased had a cut about 0.2cm in length on the right ear, a swollen right hand, a bleeding wound on the left lower limp and some bruises all over the body.

He had no pants save for a yellow t-shirt.

A blood stained pair of white sports shoes and his black and white pair of shorts were recovered besides him.

No struggle marks were observed and the crime scene had a cement floor, as well as a wooden log measuring about one metre long, a pair of handcuffs, an iron bar of about 40 centimeters and a plastic pipe measuring approximately one metre were recovered at the scene.

After questions from the investigating officers, Makore then implicated Magaisa and Chineuriri leading to their arrest.