Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of murder after a man from Mazwi village, on the outskirts of the city, was struck with a wooden bench and later succumbed to the injuries following a dispute with two men who accused him of selling them a defective car battery.
The now deceased identity could not be immediately established.
Bulawayo Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident saying police investigations are ongoing.
“Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of murder which occurred on the 4th of October at around 0600hours in Mazwi village, Bulawayo,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.
The two accused male adults have been identified as Ozeas Luphahla aged 25 years and Obvious whose surname and age were not established as he is on the run.
“On the 4th of October at around 0600hours, the now deceased was at Mazwi village drinking beer with his wife together with the two accused persons.
“The accused persons had a misunderstanding with the now deceased accusing him of selling them a defective car battery,” said Msebele.
She said Obvious then hit the now deceased with a wooden bench.
“The second accused person then lifted a wooden bench, hit the now deceased once on the head and he sustained a deep cut on the forehead and bled profusely.
“The now deceased was escorted by his wife to their home but the accused persons followed them, further assaulted the now deceased with open hands and they pushed him to the ground. The accused persons then dragged the now deceased back and assaulted him again with open hands,” said Msebele.
“The now deceased proceeded to his mother in-law`s homestead and he narrated the ordeal and later collapsed.”
She said an ambulance was summoned which ferried him to Mpilo Hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and he was pronounced dead on the 5th of October at around 2115 hours.
“The informant made a report at Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Pumula who then attended the scene of the crime and the first accused was arrested at his place of residence while the second accused was not located,” said Msebele.
She said police are appealing to members of the public who might know Obvious` whereabouts to come forward or to contact the officer in charge ZRP Pumula, Inspector Siziba on 0772 383846 or 0292560029.
“We urge members of the public not to solve their problems when drunk,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.
