Two charged with murder of Nathan Mwanza at Wyndham Vale bus stop

A 17-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man have been charged with murdering Nathan Mwanza at a bus stop in Wyndham Vale on Wednesday.

Samuel Mwanza collapses at the Wyndham Vale bus stop where his son was killed. Picture: David Crosling

The 22-year-old man accused of the murder of young model Nathan Mwanza in a vicious stabbing in Wednesday has “unmedicated schizophrenia” Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard.

Ascot man, Lwe Eh Taw, was represented by his lawyer on Saturday charged with the murder of Mr Mwanza, but chose to remain downstairs as “he didn’t wish to appear in court”.

Mr Eh Taw and a 17-year-old are accused of stabbing the 24-year-old Mr Mwanza to death at a bus stop following a fight that broke out while still in the vehicle.

Bail wasn’t sought by his council, however several custody management issues were put forward by his defence.

Nathan Mwanza was set upon by two attackers at the bus stop on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Instagram

Along with the unmedicated schizophrenia, Mr Taw Eh also suffers from an intellectual disability and has very limited English, Magistrate Lance Martin Heard.

The prosecution also sought an extended 12 week period to produce the stand-up brief in the case, double the usual six, which was not opposed by Mr Taw Eh’s defence.

A 17-year-old co-accused also fronted weekend online remand court on Saturday evening, where his case was adjourned until March 14 when it can be picked up by the Children’s Court.

Appearing via video-link from the Parkville Youth Justice Centre the accused appeared relaxed sipping from a bottle of water throughout proceedings.

A committal mention was listed for the youth on July 3.

He will remain in youth detention.

Mr Mwanza was allegedly set upon by Mr Taw Eh and a 17-year-old on a Wyndham Vale nature strip around 8pm on Wednesday after they exited the bus.

The Herald Sun was shown shocking footage that caught the alleged attackers punching, kicking and stabbing Mr Mwanza to death as he lay on the grass.

Mr Mwanza was an up-and-coming model Picture: Instagram

Family and friends gather at the scene of the crime on Thursday. Picture: David Crosling

Police charged Mr Taw Eh and a 17-year-old with the alleged murder on Friday.

Mr Mwanza was an emerging model who was signed under global agency Priscilla Models, representing brands and stores including Nike, Champion, and Hype DC.

Nathan’s sister, Naomi, said her younger brother always made everyone laugh.

She said he had plans to buy a car, visit cousins in Canada in June before eventually moving to Britain.

Mr Mwanza’s father, Samuel Mwanza, collapsed to his knees at the bus stop where his son was killed as family and friends returned to the site on Thursday.

“He never had a problem with anybody,” he said.

“Why did they kill my son? For what? Stop killing people for nothing.

“This can happen to anyone. This wasn’t at midnight or 3am, it was almost broad daylight, it’s unbelievable.”

Mr Taw Eh will front court again for a committal mention on June 30.

Originally published as Two charged with murder of Nathan Mwanza at Wyndham Vale bus stop