Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
A NASTY altercation over US$2, given as a token of appreciation, led to the murder of a Zimunya man who was gruesomely stabbed with a broken beer bottle by a colleague, accusing him of being selfish and stingy.
The victim, Phineas Hurekure, was brutally stabbed with a broken beer bottle by his colleague, Tobias Kutadza after the pair had assisted a stranger in retrieving his vehicle which was stuck in a ditch at Madanhire Business Centre in Chigodora.
The stranger, whose identity was not established, allegedly gave US$2 to the now late Hurekure, a gesture that did not go down well with Kutadza who confronted him, demanding a share of the money.
Hurekure died shortly after admission at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, having lost a significant amount of blood.
Kutadza allegedly inflicted severe lacerations on Hurekure’s throat and chin.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the tragic incident, which happened last week in Chief Zimunya’s area.
“At around 9pm, on the fateful day, the deceased and accused person were drinking beer at Madanhire Business Centre, Zimunya, Mutare when a motorist, driving a Toyota Corolla was stuck in a ditch, adjacent the business centre.
The motorist called for assistance from the people who were at the business centre. A total of 10 people, who include the accused and deceased went to assist the stranger.
The driver gave them US$2 as a token of appreciation for the assistance rendered. The money was received by the victim.
“Kutadza followed Hurekure who had gone to sit at a gazebo. Kutadza broke a beer bottle he was holding, and stabbed Hurekure twice on the throat and once on the chin. The deceased tried to walk, but collapsed.
“Upon seeing that he had seriously injured the now late Hurekure, Kutadza fled from the scene. The deceased’s relatives, Tendai Hurekure (21) and Gift Hurekure (34) arranged for transport to ferry the deceased to the hospital. He was ferried by Simba Mkwanzini to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Police attended the scene, and managed to arrest Kutadza at Ganje homestead, which is about 100 metres away from the scene.
Investigations are in progress.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged people to resolve disputes amicably and peacefully than resorting to violence which often leads to death.
He urged people to seek advice from third parties such as the elderly, church leaders as well as the police community relations and liason offices, and solve matters professionally and maturely.
He added that they will not hesitate to arrest those who put the law into their own hands.
Online Reporter