By Patience Gondo
A South African national Johana Mabasa was on Monday charged for the murder of Zimbabwean truck driver Dave Mukanganwi found dead with head gunshot wounds near Bubi in Beitbridge.
Mabasa was also charged for flouting the Immigration Act in that he came to illegally entered Zimbabwe without a passport.
Provncial MagistratevGillian Padzakashamba, presiding over the court sitting at the Beitbridge District Hospital, did not ask Mabasa to plead but advised him to apply for bail at the High Coutt.
Mabasa was allegedly injured during the alleged murder hence his appearance under armed guard at the makeshift hospital court.
Prosecutor Sichelesile Sibanda told the court that on February 19 at around 2am, Mabasa boarded Mukanganwi’s truck at Beitbridge, under the pretext he wanted to rrscue another truck driver at Rutenga.
The court heard that a confrontation later erupted inside the truck cabin.
Mukanganwi was shot once.
The bullet entered under the ear and exited through the mouth, causing severe facial injuries.
Two bullet holes were observed on the upper left side of the cabin, suggesting the firearm was discharged from inside the truck.
Sibanda said WhatsApp messages recovered from Mabasa’s cellphone show he informed an unidentified person that he had fought with and killed someone.
After the incident, Mabasa reportedly sought assistance from Jefter Nyanga a man he had known for some time, claiming he was injured and needed hospital treatment.
Nyanga later informed the police.
Mabasa told the court he intends to seek legal representation.
Padzakashamba remanded him in custody to March 9, 2026.