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A VILLAGER from Lupane District died when he was allegedly hit with a pestle on the head for intervening in a fight over traditional beer. Zenzo Tshuma, whose age was not given, died at St Lukes Hospital where he had been admitted following the alleged assault by Norman Ndlovu (34).
Ndlovu, of Mhlanga Mlambo Village is now charged with murder.
He appeared before Lupane magistrate Mrs Aelene Munamati yesterday and was remanded in custody to Wednesday next week.
The court advised Ndlovu to apply to the High Court for bail.
For the State, Mr Wilberforce Ngoshi said sometime last month, a group of villagers from Mhlanga Mlambo Village were gathered at Mr Edmore Tshayisa’s homestead drinking traditional beer.
It is alleged a fight ensued between Ndlovu’s younger brother, Xolani and another man only identified as Moses and his wife.
The court was told that Mr Tshayisa and Tshuma restrained them and pushed Xolani out of the yard for allegedly being a nuisance.
It is alleged that Ndlovu joined in the fight and started assaulting the couple.
Xolani allegedly armed himself with a log and hit Mr Tshayisa with it once resulting in Mr Tshayisa and Tshuma arming themselves with a spear and stool and once again pushed Xolani out of the yard.
In the process, the court was told, Xolani allegedly hit Mr Tshayisa with the log and Tshuma intervened and struck Xolani with the stool.
Seeing that his younger brother was in trouble, Ndlovu who was still armed with the pestle struck Tshuma with it once on the head.
Ndlovu fled from the scene after committing the offence and villagers made a report to the police.
Tshuma was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital but died a few days later from injuries sustained.
Online Reporter