Man kills friend over unfulfilled beer promise

Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter

A DISPUTE over an unfulfilled promise to buy beer turned deadly in Mapako village, under Chief Saunyama in Nyanga, resulting in the death of a 61-year-old man.

Patrick Nyagwande’s lifeless body was found in his kitchen hut, lying in a pool of blood, on April 26, following a reported dispute with his friend Enock Dirorimwe (41), the night before.

Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the two have been together at Mapako Business Centre on April 25.

“The victim, Patrick Nyagwande, and the suspect, Enock Dirorimwe were close friends, and had been drinking beer together at Mapako Business Center on April 25. At about 11:30pm, Nyagwande and Dirorimwe left the business centre, heading to the former’s homestead to get the beer he had promised,” he said.

Upon arriving at Nyagwande’s homestead, the two men woke up Rebecca Makoto (55), the deceased’s wife, and asked her to unlock the kitchen hut.

After unlocking the kitchen hut, Makoto reportedly returned to bed, leaving Nyagwande and Dirorimwe alone in the kitchen hut.

It is suspected that a dispute then erupted between the two men after Nyagwande failed to produce the beer he had promised to Dirorimwe,
“The suspect grabbed the victim by the neck and repeatedly slammed his head against the wall, causing Nyagwande to bleed from the nose and mouth, and subsequently lose consciousness,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

Dirorimwe left after Nyagwande passed out, and on his way home, told the victim’s wife that he had beaten her husband badly for lying to him.

He said he left him sleeping in the kitchen.

Makoto did not bother to investigate the claims, assuming her husband was fine.

The following morning, Makoto discovered her husband’s lifeless body lying face down in a pool of blood on the floor.

She reported to the Nyanga police, who responded promptly and initiated an investigation.

Police discovered a swelling above the deceased’s ear, and subsequently, the accused was located and arrested.