Online Reporter
Peter Matika,[email protected]
THE high-profile trial of Gweru businessman Peter Dube, accused of fatally shooting his second wife’s alleged lover and two others in a suspected crime of passion, has concluded, with judgment expected in the coming weeks.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi is set to deliver the verdict after receiving closing submissions from both the State and defence.
The State filed its final arguments on 1 August while Dube’s lawyers are expected to submit theirs by Friday.
The trial, which began on 28 July, comes nearly three years after Dube fled Zimbabwe following the triple shooting in Gweru.
Dube was arrested in Ireland where he had sought asylum under a false identity. He was later deported to Mozambique, where his true nationality was confirmed before being extradited to Zimbabwe.
Upon his initial return, Dube showed signs of mental instability by drinking toilet water and talking to himself, prompting a psychiatric evaluation. However, three specialists later confirmed he was fit to stand trial.
According to prosecutor Mr Kenneth Shava, Dube allegedly went on the run after shooting and killing Shelton Chiduku, whom he suspected was having an affair with his wife, Nyasha Dube. He also allegedly shot and killed Nyasha’s best friend, Gamuchirai Mudungwe and seriously wounded Nyasha and her sister Nyaradzo.
The incident occurred at Number 11 Bensam Flats, Main Street in Gweru. Enraged that Nyasha had travelled to Masvingo with the three others without his knowledge, Dube allegedly confronted the group armed with a Zastava pistol.
“At around 8PM, the accused approached the flat, confronted Nyasha and a heated argument ensued. He went downstairs where he found Chiduku and Mudungwe and opened fire,” said Mr Shava. Chiduku was shot dead on the spot while Mudungwe was shot in the face while fleeing and collapsed and died at the stairwell.
Dube then allegedly returned upstairs, shooting Nyasha in the cheek and Nyaradzo above the ear. Both survived after emergency surgery. Following the shootings, Dube fled to South Africa, then Eswatini, before resurfacing in Ireland under the alias Armando Quenete Muchanga, claiming to be a Mozambican national. He was arrested in Dublin for immigration violations.
Irish authorities deported him to Mozambique where it was confirmed he was Zimbabwean. He was then extradited to face justice back home.
In his warned and cautioned statement, Dube denied the charges, acting on legal advice from his former lawyer Mrs Tuso Maputsenyika of Mhaka Attorneys in Gweru.
