HARARE - A Glen-View-based vagrant is facing murder charges relating to the death of a woman in a botched mobile phone robbery.

Sinsamala Chinsi, 23, allegedly pounced on the late Jean Chindinda on January 31.

Chindinda was walking home with a friend identified in court as Zodzwa Mwandira.

Armed with a kitchen knife, Chinsi grabbed Chindinda and dragged her into a maize field as Mwandira fled in panic.

It is the State’s case that Chinsi stabbed Chindinda once in the chest and on the left wrist before robbing her of a Nokia 1616 phone which was strapped around her neck.

After the robbery Chinsi fled from the scene leaving the knife stuck in Chindinda’s left wrist.

A Good Samaritan took the bleeding woman to police in nearby Budiriro, where she was pronounced dead by the paramedics who had been called to take her to hospital.

Prosecutor Tungamirai Chakurira alleges the mobile phone was sold to Godfrey Mufugu who later sold it to Sarudzai Munemo from whom it was recovered.

A post mortem revealed that Chindinda died from the stab wounds. Chinsi was remanded in custody.

In a similar incident two Epworth men appeared before magistrate Don Ndirowei on murder charges.

It is alleged Duncan Vanyika, 25, and Phenias Manyuchi, 28, assaulted the now deceased with a broken bottle, stools and open hands while having drinks at Shooters Nite Club in Epworth.

The two were later apprehended by police after the deceased identified them before succumbing at Harare Hospital. - Helen Kadirire