Munakopa murder trial begins

The trial of a man who was fatally shot in the Hillside suburb of Bulawayo four years ago by the police has begun at the Bulawayo High Court.

Paul Munakopa, 34 at the time of his death, was shot during a high-speed chase around 10 PM on May 23, 2020.

The case involves two Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, Bigson Nyoni and Langton Makonye, and two neighbourhood watch committee members, Ross Johnston and Kyle Bennet. All four face a murder charge.

Nyoni and Makonye are represented by Kholwani Ngwenya of T.J. Mabhikwa and Partners, while Johnston and Bennet are represented by Prince Butshe-Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers.

The trial is being heard by Justice Naison Chivhayo.

The State’s first witness, Tracey Mufudze, was Munakopa’s fiancé and was with him in their car when the incident occurred. She testified that while they were in a black Honda Fit, the accused suddenly ambushed them.

Without identifying themselves, the group initiated a chase, prompting Munakopa to drive off in panic. Mufudze recounted hearing gunshots as they fled. Munakopa suffered injuries, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, which eventually crashed into a roadside trench.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Prince Butshe-Dube argued that Mufudze and Munakopa had been breaking the law by engaging in sexual activity in a public space and violating lockdown curfew restrictions. Mufudze admitted to these violations but stressed that this did not justify the use of lethal force.

She noted that the accused did not identify themselves as law enforcement, adding, “Even though we were on the wrong side of the law, the police had a right to arrest us, not to shoot at us and take a life.”

The trial has been adjourned until Friday for further proceedings.