A Bulawayo man has been arrested for murder after a heated dispute over someone touching his meat at a braai spot escalated into a fatal confrontation.
Tatenda Chida allegedly clashed with the now deceased Sikhanyiso Bruce Dube from Pumula North at a braai spot in Bulawayo’s Central Business District.
Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, Acting Police Spokesperson, confirmed the shocking details.
“On the 24th of October 2024 at around 0700 hours, a passerby who was on his way to work noticed the now deceased`s body lying under a tree by the side of a thoroughfare near Pumula High School. He assumed that the now-deceased was drunk. Five hours later he used the same path to his place of residence and discovered that the now deceased was still lying in the same position prompting him to move closer and check on him. He discovered that the body was not showing any signs of life, he then proceeded to ZRP Pumula and made a report,” she said.
The body bore injuries on the back of the head and a cut lip, suggesting foul play. A post-mortem confirmed Dube had suffered severe head injuries and brain trauma.
Investigations revealed that on October 22nd, around 6 p.m., Dube and Chida had a heated row at a popular braai spot in the CBD.
“A prolonged altercation ensued between the two when the now deceased touched the accused`s meat. That did not go down well with the accused person who then kicked him once on the spinal cord and hit him once on the face with a clenched fist,” she said.
“Dube fell hard, hitting his head. Though friends helped him up and he managed to walk away, he later succumbed to his injuries on his way home.”
A tip led police to Chida, who was apprehended at the corner of J.M. Nkomo Street and 4th Avenue. During questioning, Chida admitted to assaulting Dube, landing him in police custody.
Assistant Inspector Msebele urged the public to settle disputes peacefully.
