Zimbabwean kills countryman over �piece-jobs�

Lebogang Mosikare | Wednesday January 21, 2015 11:56

The accused, 27-year-old Lloyd Nyathi, allegedly became embroiled in a heated argument with Callistus Ndumbe after the latter accosted him over ‘stealing his piece-jobs’, eyewitnesses said.

According to witnesses, Ndumbe accused Nyathi of invading his territory to do piece jobs that are meant for him. The witnesses say that Ndumbe was carrying an axe when he angrily stormed Nyathi’s place.

Nyathi stabbed Ndumbe with a knife after the latter began heckling him, the witnesses said.

Tonota Police station commander, Kenanao Badumetse, confirmed the incident. “The accused stabbed the deceased with a sharp object and he died,” he said.

Badumetse added: “This is not the first murder incident to happen in this area. Last year on December 23, another illegal Zimbabwean killed his fellow countryman in a row over piece jobs.

“I plead with Batswana to hire foreigners who have proper documents if they so wish to avoid these kinds of problems.”

He said that police in his area are very worried about locals who are in the habit of hiring foreigners, especially Zimbabweans who do not have passports and work permits.

Meanwhile, Nyathi appeared in court last Thursday to face a single charge of murder.

The prosecutor, Jaloni Somolokae, reserved a plea in the matter saying that investigations are still continuing.

He applied for the accused to remain in custody because he is a flight risk, as he does not have a passport or any business interests that could keep him in the country to attend trial.

Chief Magistrate Gaedupe Makgatho adjourned the matter to January 29, 2015.