A 37-year-old man from Mabuthweni, Bulawayo, Gibson Mpofu killed his brother over a US$20 dispute which was paid by a tenant.
The deceased is 36-year-old Gift Mpofu.
Bulawayo Police acting Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday morning.
“On 5 December 2023 at around 8 am, the deceased received US$20 for rentals from a tenant Taboka Ndlovu a male adult aged 22 years. The deceased then used the money without the knowledge of the accused person. On 6 December 2023 at around 3 am, the accused person came home drunk, awakened the now deceased and demanded his own share of money from the money which was paid by the tenant. The now deceased told him that he had already used the money and this did not go down well with the accused person who started assaulting the now deceased with fists and a log all over the body,” she said.
Assist. Inspector Msebele said a neighbour Albert Mpofu heard some noise coming from the now-deceased’s room and he rushed there.
“He found the accused person assaulting the deceased with a log whilst the now deceased was lying on the ground breathing with difficulties. He then shouted for help and the accused person ran away.”
She said Mpofu then advised Kholwani Tshuma who is a member of the neighbourhood watch committee about the incident who then phoned the ambulance.
“The ambulance crew arrived at around 7 am and noticed that the deceased was no longer breathing.”
“Kholwani Tshuma and the other members of the neighbourhood watch committee managed to apprehend the accused person who was hiding in a bush.”
Assist. Inspector Msebele said the matter was reported to the police in Western Commonage.
“ZRP Western Commonage, CID scenes of crime and CID Homicide attended the scene. They observed that the deceased was lying facing upwards and had a fractured left leg and bruises on the left hand. A 50cm log was recovered near the body,” she said.
Assist. Inspector Msebele said the body was ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem.
“The accused is detained at ZRP Western Commonage,” she said
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