Row over client turns fatal

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A dispute over clients ended in tragedy for a customs clearing agent here after he was recently fatally assaulted by a colleague at Beitbridge Border Post. Lazurusa Mubvundura met his death last week during a fist fight with Tamuka Gwapedza (26). Gwapedza, of house number 98 in Dulivhadzimo, who has since been charged with murder, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi yesterday.

He was remanded in custody to September 18.

The prosecutor Mr Oswell Arufandi told the court that Gwapedza and the deceased, who were both employed as customs clearing agents (runners), were friends for two years.

He said on 14 August, the accused approached Mubvundura at Beitbridge Border Post, accusing him of taking his clients.

The misunderstanding then degenerated into a fist fight.

He said during the fracas, the now deceased tripped and fell to the tarmac headlong, while Gwapedza continued attacking him.

The man fell unconscious and was later taken to his rented house where he subsequently died and the matter was reported to the police.

Gwapedza was arrested on the same day.

Mr Arufandi said the deceased’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a postmortem.

It was established that he had a skull fracture and had died due to subdural Hematoma as a result of the assault.