Man kills brother for reporting late for duty

Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
IN a bizarre incident that left Gweru residents dumbfounded, a 29-year-old security guard allegedly killed his 35-year-old brother by striking him on the back of his head with a pick handle following a quarrel over guard duties at a gold mine.

The tragic incident occurred on 27 September at around 12.30am at Dostone Mine, Greenville, Gweru, when Portpher Chunda allegedly killed his older brother Tyrod. The brothers, who worked at the same mine as security guards, according to witnesses, were supposed to relieve each other. The witnesses said on the fateful day, the brothers got into a quarrel which led to a fistfight after Tyrod allegedly reported late for duty when he was supposed to relieve Portpher.

One of the witnesses, Wilson Makwenda of Ascot Township, told the police that Tyrod was supposed to report for duty at the mine at 12 midnight and relieve his brother Portpher who was on guard. He said Tyrod, however, came 30 minutes later and this did not go down well with Portpher.

“A heated argument ensued between the two brothers which later degenerated into a fistfight. Tyrod choked his brother who then retaliated by hitting him with a pick handle twice at the back of the head resulting in his brother suffering head injuries,” said Makwenda.

“Tyrod fell to the ground and started bleeding profusely until he fell unconscious. Portpher rushed him to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he was later transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare where he was pronounced dead on admission.”

The witness said the matter was reported to the police, leading to Portpher’s arrest. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko could not be reached as he was said to be engaged in a series of meetings.