Pint of regret: Unfulfilled promise leads to death

 

Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter

 

A DISPUTE over an unfulfilled promise to buy beer turned fatal in Mapako Village, under Chief Saunyama in Nyanga, following 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.

 

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

 

“The victim, Patrick Nyagwande, and the suspect, Enock Dirorimwe were close friends, and were drinking beer together at Mapako Business Centre on April 25. At around 1130pm, 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 Nyagwande’s wife, Rebecca Makoto (55), 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 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. He subsequently lost consciousness,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

 

Dirorimwe left after Nyagwande passed out, and on his way home, he told Makoto 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 that 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 the murder at Nyanga Police Station, and police responded promptly and initiated an investigation.

 

Police discovered a swelling above Nyagwande’s ear, and subsequently, Dirorimwe was located and arrested.