Two Zimbabwean nationals, Roy Chisamba and Caroline Chirume, have appeared before the Mogoditshane Magistrates Court in Botswana, facing serious charges linked to the alleged murder of a fellow Zimbabwean national, Hendri Masangusa.
According to court proceedings held on Friday, the pair is jointly charged alongside three other suspects who are currently on the run and were not present in court. The state alleges that the group fatally assaulted Masangusa on December 16in Metsimotlhabe, under circumstances that have sparked widespread outrage on social media.
A disturbing video that has been circulating online is alleged to show the deceased being violently beaten. Social media claims suggest that Masangusa was accused of stealing at the time of the incident, though these allegations have not yet been tested in court. Authorities have cautioned the public against drawing conclusions while investigations are still ongoing.
During their court appearance, Chisamba and Chirume were remanded in custody, with the court noting the seriousness of the charges they are facing. The accused also informed the court that they do not possess valid documentation to be lawfully residing in Botswana, a factor that may influence future bail considerations.
Police investigations are continuing as efforts intensify to locate and arrest the remaining suspects. The case has sent shockwaves through the Zimbabwean community in Botswana, reigniting conversations around mob justice, vigilantism, and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.
The matter has been postponed to a later date as investigations continue.
