Lawyer Challenges Police Highway Chase Story As Man Accused Of Stabbing Friend Granted Bail
A Bulawayo man accused of stabbing his friend to death has been granted bail after his lawyer challenged the police account of his arrest. The defence claims officers invented a dramatic highway chase and warning shots to justify keeping him in detention.
The High Court granted Leonardo Beechey US$300 bail (approximately R5,000) on Monday, 2 November 2026. He faces a murder charge following the death of Tafadzwa Zephania Gorokotah in February.
Lawyer Questions Police Account Of Dramatic Highway Chase
Beechey appeared before Justice Naison Chivhayo, with prosecutors Constance Mpofu and Elaine Kanengoni opposing his release.
Detective Constable Goodwin Samambwa told the court that Beechey had evaded police for months before officers spotted him in a vehicle travelling towards Gweru along the Bulawayo–Gweru highway in late May.
He alleged that Beechey jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to escape, forcing officers to fire warning shots before chasing and apprehending him.
However, defence lawyer Takunda Chapisa disputed this version of events. He argued that the claims about the highway chase and gunfire were introduced later and did not appear in the original police Request for Remand Form.
“The accused person never fled from the law. He was residing at his home throughout,” Chapisa argued.
He also presented an affidavit from Beechey’s mother in support of the claim that her son had not been hiding.
Details Of February Murder Case Emerge
The prosecution alleges that Gorokotah’s relatives saw Beechey leaving the victim’s residence with him on 6 February.
The National Prosecuting Authority said Gorokotah’s body was discovered at around 7AM by a passerby along a footpath in Hume Park, between Harare Road and 4th Avenue.
He had a deep stab wound on the left side of his chest, below the nipple, as well as a cut on his left hand. Investigators also observed a blood trail stretching approximately 130 metres towards 1st Avenue and the Bulawayo–Gweru Road.
A ZTE Blade A35 mobile phone, brown wallet and toothbrush were recovered from his pockets.
Prosecutors opposed bail, describing Beechey as a potential flight risk. They also raised concerns about alleged drug use and blood-stained clothing reportedly recovered from him.
The US$300 bail (approximately R4,984) was granted despite the prosecution’s objections. Beechey remains accused of murder, and the allegations against him have yet to be determined at trial.
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