TWO soldiers accused of fatally assaulting a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation appeared in court yesterday charged with murder. Brown Mwale (40) who worked in the CIO's Counter Intelligence Branch and based in Harare was killed while trying to hire a taxi at a nightclub in Glen Norah last week. His alleged assailants, Blessing Nyakwima (27) and Nkazimulo Nkomo (27) who are based at Inkomo Barracks are jointly charged with Vitalis Nyakwima (29) a taxi driver and another man Damascus Tafa (26). The four were not formally charged when they appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma who remanded them in custody to May 11.

She advised the quartet to apply for bail at the High Court because of the seriousness of the offence.

Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe alleges that on April 17 around 11pm, Mwale was drinking beer with three friends, Thulani Gumbo, Amos Mukwena and Mavhuto Basikoro in Glen Norah when they decided to go home.

They hired a taxi, which was being driven by Nyakwima in the company of his accomplices and were charged US$5 to Waterfalls. It is alleged that Nyakwima drove for about 10 metres from the night club and stopped the vehicle demanding payment up-front.