Drama as accused pretends to be mad in court
By Dumisani Ndlovu
An accused person, Shakespear Makombo who hails from Tokwe 4, Lalaphanzi in the Midlands Province left people inside Gweru High Court circuit courtroom mesmerised as he pretends to be mad during a court session.
The accused was arraigned before Bulawayo High Court Judge, Bongani Ndlovu Magistrate over an allegation bordering on murder.
Makombo’s unruly behaviour during a court session, left both court officials and the gallery in a cold sweat and the Judge left with no option except to adjourn the court.
As if that was not enough on the day of his supposed second court appearance(Thursday 16 May 2024) the accused’s lawyer, Advocate Mahamba told the court that his client was not fit for trial as he had shown signs of mental challenge while in holding cells.
High Court Judge Ndlovu was quick to refer the accused to Mlondondolozi for psychiatric evaluation after remanding him to 24 September 2024.
The Public Prosecutor, Shalom Chikuni told the court that on the 21st of May 2020 and at village 18 Tokwe 4, Lalapanzi in the Midlands Province, Shakespear Makombo unlawfully caused the death of Takudzwa Magaya, by assaulting him with fists and wooden log all over the body, intending to kill her or realising that there was real risk or possibility that his conduct may cause death and continued to engage in that conduct despite the risk or possibility.
He is charged with a crime of murder as defined in section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. When the Public Prosecutor finished reading the charges, Makombo, who had all the while been calm, suddenly started shouting.
He said, “Things were not well, let me tell you what happened, even my father who is a war veteran know that, he was there. I am like my father, a veteran. Things weren’t fine I tell you; things weren’t okay!”.
Efforts by the accused’s lawyer Joseph Mahamba to curtail him hit the brickwall.
A Zimbabwe prisons services officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the accused was only simulation insanity, adding that they both conversed well before the court sat.
