By Own Correspondent|Vengai Vonga who stood as National Patriotic Front (NPF) council candidate in July 30 elections was hauled before Karoi court facing murder charges.

He was losing council ward ten in Karoi ward 10n, Hurungwe Central constituency.

The ward was won Movement for Democratic Change Alliance candidate Ranganai Hungwe who beat outgoing Zanu PF Fortune Madamombe and independent Clive Chavhunduka.

Vonga was aligned before magistrate Samuel Chitumwa together with Francis Makaza (37) and Anywhere Chaona (26), who stay at Wedzera Service Station employed by Moscht Security company.

Vonga stays in Chiedza high density suburb.

The trio are facing murder and robbery charges following the death of Karoi businessman Ashwinbhai Rama who was robbed and fatally shot in May.

He was robbed of his cash and mobile phones.

They were remanded in custody till 22 July and advised to go to High Court for bail application.

They were arrested after being found in possession of the deceased’s phones.

Prosecutor James Phiri told the court Vonga and his accomplices committed the offence on May 17 around 6:30pm at Rama Wholesalers.

They were armed with pistols and a rifle.

The state outline is that the three arrived at Rama Wholesalers, accused force-marched security guard Luke Samuel Nyika and three other workers Chido Fungulani, Shame Masava and David Mukali who were doing stock taking into Rama’s office where he was counting his daily takings, before ordering them to lie down.

The late Rama resisted and was allegedly on both legs before hitting him on the head with an iron bar.

Accused persons then broke a cash safe and stole $1 598 before demanding mobile phones from Fungulani, Rama and Masava.

Deceased was left lying in a pool of blood but passed on his way to Harare.

A manhunt was launched that saw arrest of Vonga and Makaza who had the stolen phones.

They implicated Chaona.