Harare – A chilling case of violence and robbery has gripped the city, leaving residents reeling and questioning the safety of Harare’s streets.
Mombeshora appeared before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya on Thursday, facing murder charges, a third schedule offence resulting in his remand in custody. The magistrate advised him to seek bail at the High Court.
The details of the crime, as presented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, paint a grim picture. On January 15, around midnight, Jile left the Big Apple Sports Bar, heading home to Dzivarasekwa. As he walked along Nelson Mandela Street in the city’s central business district (CBD), he was allegedly ambushed by Mombeshora and his accomplices, who remain at large.
The attack was swift and brutal. The gang allegedly grabbed Jile’s sling bag, throwing him to the ground, his head striking the tarmac with devastating force. While he lay unconscious, they allegedly rifled through his pockets, stealing a paltry US$10, an Itel 70 cellphone, and other belongings. They then vanished into the night, leaving Jile to die alone on the cold pavement.
The discovery of Jile’s lifeless body the following morning sent shockwaves through the community. Another street child alerted the authorities to the scene, revealing a brutal crime scene. A post-mortem examination at Parirenyatwa Hospital confirmed the cause of death as head trauma and a subdural hematoma, the result of the blunt force impact to his head.
For days, Mombeshora evaded capture, disappearing into the city’s underbelly. However, on January 21, a tip-off led detectives to the bustling Copacabana bus terminus. There, they apprehended him. The arrest, however, was far from straightforward. Mombeshora reportedly resisted violently, biting off one of the detective’s fingers during the struggle.
The court heard that Mombeshora, known for his violent tendencies and his moniker “Most Wanted,” had become a figure of fear among those who frequented the Copacabana area. His arrest, therefore, brought a sense of relief to many who had witnessed his aggressive behaviour and feared his actions.
The case highlights the challenges faced by authorities in dealing with crime and violence perpetrated by street children in Harare. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of such behaviour, including poverty, lack of opportunity, and the absence of adequate support systems for vulnerable youth.
Mombeshora’s case is scheduled for routine remand on February 7. The details of the crime, the brutality of the attack, and the subsequent arrest have left many questioning the safety of Harare’s streets, particularly at night.
