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Gibson Mhaka
THE law is blind, but it has long ears!
This was at play when a man from Siamputeni 3 Village in Lusulu, Binga District, Matabeleland North province, who has been on the run after allegedly fatally striking a fellow villager with a log following a misunderstanding over money to buy beer.
Aslot Maseko (32) who allegedly fatally struck Mqondisi Tshuma (41) with a log was arrested in Nyamandlovu where he was reportedly hiding. For the heinous crime, Maseko has since appeared before Binga resident magistrate Victor Mpofu charged with murder. He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 21 October.
Allegations against Maseko are that on 5 September 2024, at around 4pm, on the riverbed of Chipale River next to a footpath that leads from Sianoti to Chipale Business Centre, he and the now-deceased, who resided in the neighbouring village, were returning from a beer drink when the deceased began demanding money from him saying he wanted to buy beer.
After the accused person refused to give him money, a heated argument ensued, leading to a physical altercation. The accused then fled the scene, with the now-deceased in pursuit.
The deceased, in a fit of rage, picked up a log with the intent to assault the accused. However, the accused managed to disarm him, wrestling the log away. In a swift and decisive move, the accused struck the deceased once on the head, causing him to fall to the ground. The accused then fled the scene, leaving the deceased lying unconscious.
Tshuma’s lifeless body was discovered the following day by passers-by, who reported the incident to the police. The bloodstained log, which was also used in the commission of the crime, was found at the scene.
Investigations by the police led to the arrest of Maseko on 2 October in Nyamandlovu, where he was reportedly hiding.
derick.khumalo