MUTARE - A magistrate has ordered that two Air Force of Zimbabwe officers who allegedly killed a suspected thief before burying him in a shallow grave in Marange should remain in prison.

The two are accused of fatally assaulting suspected thief Trust Barwai, whom they accused of stealing roofing iron sheets. Another man, Nehemiah Ndiriwenyu, is nursing serious injuries after the military men allegedly bashed him for being part of the thieving syndicate.

Mutare magistrate Charles Murowe remanded 33-year-old Farai Muzombi and Birias Zingori, 34, to October 22.

He ordered that they remain locked in remand prison and advised them to apply for bail at the High Court citing the severity of the case.

Muzombi and Zingori are being charged with the murder of Barwai as defined in section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. — Sydney Saize