Savage attack ends in Mpopoma River death, 2 arrested

TWO Bulawayo men are facing murder charges after allegedly striking a man with a stone, kicking him and dumping his body in the Mpopoma River, where it was found.

Mtulisi Mafu and Thembalami Moyo both of Hyde Park Methodist Village appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube facing murder charges.

They were both remanded in custody to April 9.

Prosecutor, Ms Cathrine Kuzu said allegations are that on January 2, 2026 at around 1AM the accused persons and the now deceased Welcome Dube were at Mzayiwana Bottle Store in Magwegwe North for a drink.

She said as they were leaving the bottle store an argument ensued between the accused persons and Dube.

The court heard that Dube ran away towards houses with accused persons in pursuit. They managed to get hold of Dube at the edge of Magwegwe North where they continued to assault him.

One of accused persons then struck Dube with a stone at the back of the head and he fell on the ground and became unconscious, said Ms Kuzu.

The accused persons kicked the deceased indiscriminately all over his body with booted feet until he was no longer responding, she added.

Realizing that Dube was no longer showing any signs of life, the accused persons carried his body and dumped it in Mpopoma River in Magwegwe North where it was found, said Ms Kuzu.

Police investigations led to the arrest of the duo.