Method Mwanjali
Harare Bureau
THE High Court is today expected to hear a bail application by CAPS United skipper Method Mwanjali who is facing charges of attempted murder. Mwanjali ,33, allegedly stabbed another man – Tonderai Nhunzvi – with a knife in the early hours of Sunday following an altercation in the parking lot at Long Cheng Plaza in Harare.
He appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe challenging his placement on remand, but it was thrown out for lack of merit. He was on Wednesday remanded in custody to May 4 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Mwanjali’s lawyer Tinofara Hove of TK Hove yesterday confirmed that he filed a bail application at the High Court. “We filed our application at the High Court and the bail hearing will be conducted tomorrow at 9AM,” said Hove. “He’s a suitable candidate for bail and his release will not in any way jeopardise the administration of justice.”
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Mpumalanga Black Aces defender’s victim is battling for life in hospital after allegedly being stabbed twice in the stomach. His co-accomplice and team mate Archieford Gutu was granted US$100 bail and will appear in court on the same day.
Gutu is facing malicious damage to property charges after he smashed the rear windscreen of Nhunzvi’s car using an unknown object on the night. Mwanjali is the CAPS United captain, having re-joined the club last year after his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns expired last season.
The State alleged that the parties met at an intersection in the Long Cheng Plaza complex and their vehicles almost collided. Gutu, who was behind the wheel, got out of the vehicle and charged towards Nhunzvi who had three passengers on board before confronting and accusing him of reckless driving.
As Gutu was shouting, Nhunzvi closed his car windows and this irritated Gutu who then smashed the windscreen using an unknown object. Mwanjali joined in the melee, drew a knife and stabbed Nhunzvi twice in the stomach. Nhunzvi’s friend, Lionel Muchena, who tried to stop Mwanjali from stabbing Nhunzvi, was also caught in the crossfire and sustained a cut on his hand.