Iron bar death in $3,50 row

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A MAN from Inyathi allegedly fatally assaulted his cousin with an iron bar following a dispute over $3,50, a magistrate heard yesterday.

Vusumuzi Tshuma (26) of Longwe village appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Evelyn Mashavakure facing a murder charge.

She remanded him in custody to July 12 pending trial at the High Court. Ms Mashavakure advised him to apply to the High Court for bail.

Prosecuting, Mr Taurai Hondoyemoto said on June 17, Tshuma was drinking beer with his brother Toindeipi Nyoni at Longwe Business Centre when a misunderstanding arose over $3,50 change.

Nyoni accused Tshuma of refusing to give him his change and the dispute degenerated into a fight.

Tshuma picked an iron bar and struck Nyoni several times on the head and all over the body.

He died on the spot.

The court heard that after committing the gruesome murder Tshuma fled, leaving Nyoni’s body lying in a pool of blood.

“After committing the murder, Tshuma went into hiding and was arrested two days later at Lukoni Business Centre about 15km from the scene of the crime, following a tip-off,” said Mr Hondoyemoto.