A Harare woman and an army officer have appeared in court facing charges of murder of a 13 year old boy.
The 44 year old Cleopatra Mutisi, the wife of Brigadier General Mutisi, is jointly charged with two Zimbabwe National Army officers. She is alleged to have ordered the assault of her 13 year old relative after accusing him of stealing US$70.
Mutisi and her co-accused, Tapiwa Frank Gusha were granted US$1000 bail each. The other accused is still at large. The state had consented to bail and proposed US$500 for Mutisi and US$200 for Gusha, but presiding magistrate, Ms Anita Tshuma ruled that both accused must pay US$1000 each. She asked Mutisi to surrender her title deeds and to report three times a week to the police.
It is alleged that Mutisi suspected that the now deceased Tafara Matanhire stole US$70 and she is said to have made a report at Hatcliffe Police Station where she asked police officersto assault the young boy. It is further alleged that the police officers refused to assault the boy and recorded statements.
However, this did not go down well with Mutisi who locked the boy in the house for two days without food before ordering army officers guarding her residence to assault him.
Meanwhile, a state witness collapsed and died in the process of giving testimony in a case where a Norton man, Jealous Taundi was facing charges of rape.