HARARE - A gold dealer has been remanded in custody to April 25 on allegations of murdering Allan Banks and leaving his body to decompose in the boot of his car.

A calm looking George Francis Lovell, 31, clad in a blue and yellow tracksuit was advised by magistrate Don Ndirowei to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecutor Melia Urayayi alleges that on July 11 last year, Banks left his shop, Goodlife Appliances, situated at Rhodesville Shopping Centre to go and meet up with his brother Gordon Banks at an unknown place.

The now deceased was driving his silver Toyota Corolla and had with him a satchel containing $20 000.

At around midday, Lovell sent his maid Letwin Ganziwa to Clyde Shopping Centre to buy some cigarettes despite the fact that there was a vendor who sold the same stuff near his house.

Ganziwa is alleged to have gone to the shops which are about two kilometres away from Lovell’s house leaving him alone at home.

It is the State’s case that when she returned home she found a Toyota Corolla similar to that of Banks parked adjacent to the study room facing the main gate.

The court heard when Ganziwa handed over the cigarettes she noticed that the study room door was partially open.

Lovell is alleged to have got into Banks’ car and drove off to an unknown destination. On July 15 Banks’ car was found parked at the corner of Herbert Chitepo and Mazowe streets.

Upon examination of the car, Banks’ body was found stashed in the boot and at an early stage of decomposition.

Allegations are that Lovell fled to Zambia, Tanzania and then finally settled in South Africa, with attempts to arrest him being futile.

On April 8, 2013, Lovell was finally arrested in Zimbabwe and when he was interviewed by the police he admitted to killing Banks by striking him on the head with a crow bar causing instant death.

Lovell is also alleged to have stolen the money that Banks had on him and used it for personal use. - Helen Kadirire