By Court Reporter
Harare – A 22-year-old man from Chitungwiza, who allegedly killed an intruder during a confrontation, has been charged with murder.
Benson Macharangwanda appeared before a Harare magistrate on Monday, where he was remanded in custody pending a High Court indictment.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of December 2 when Macharangwanda was alerted by an anti-theft alarm on his phone.
At the time, his phone, which also contained US$250 in its pouch, was being taken through a window by the intruder.
Prosecutors alleged that Macharangwanda, upon noticing the theft, chased after the intruder, whose name has not been disclosed.
He caught up with the man and demanded the return of his phone.
The intruder reportedly claimed that the phone had fallen inside Macharangwanda’s room.
Macharangwanda then escorted the intruder back to the room, where an altercation ensued.
“The now deceased indicated that the cell phone had dropped inside his room.
The accused person took the now deceased to his room and a fight ensued and the now deceased produced a knife attempting to stab the accused person,” prosecutors alleged.
According to the prosecution, the intruder produced a knife during the struggle and attempted to stab Macharangwanda.
However, Macharangwanda managed to block the attack after being alerted by his landlady, who shouted a warning.
The court was told that Macharangwanda retrieved his phone from the intruder’s shorts before escorting him out of the premises.
Moments later, the intruder reportedly began complaining of injuries he had sustained during the scuffle.
Details of the exact nature of the injuries or the events leading to the intruder’s death have yet to be disclosed in court.
Macharangwanda remains in custody as investigations continue.
