Man loses eye in fight over beer

Police have arrested two machete-wielding brothers from Shurugwi, who are part of a four-member gang that teamed up and allegedly assaulted three siblings, resulting in one of them losing an eye during a fight over beer.

Trymore (28) and Courage Matimba (22) of Zingwe Village, Bethel area in Shurugwi, appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing three counts of attempted murder.

Their other siblings, Kelvin and Clyde, are still at large. Trymore and Courage pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mrs Msipa remanded them to today for continuation of trial. It is the State case that on September 25 at around 4pm, Trymore and Courage allegedly attacked brothers Emmanuel (27) and Godfrey Machingura (30) and Heavy Siki (42).

The court heard that Trymore and Courage allegedly approached Emmanuel and asked him for money to buy beer. It is alleged that Courage struck Emmanuel once on the left arm with a machete, while Kelvin allegedly struck him once on the left elbow.

Trymore allegedly chased Emmanuel and struck him several times on the left cheek and head, also with a machete. The court heard that Godfrey approached Trymore and Courage while they were assaulting Emmanuel and asked them why they were doing so.

Trymore then turned to Godfrey, struck him once on the ear with the machete, while Courage struck him on the head. Kelvin, the court heard, allegedly stuck Godfrey once on the knee with an axe.

Trymore and Courage then called Heavy Siki who was heading home and struck him once on the left eye with the machete. Siki, the court heard, lost his eye as a result. Mr Talent Tadenyika appeared for the State.

Meanwhile, a suspected gold ore thief from Shurugwi was last week allegedly shot dead by a security guard manning Tebekwe Gold Mine after attempting to leave with his loot.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the alleged murder of Mark Chirozva (27) by the suspect, Timothy Munondo (27).

Asst Insp Mukwende said preliminary investigations indicate that Chirozva illegally entered the mine with three friends with the intention of stealing gold ore.

Asst Insp Mukwende said Munondo allegedly fatally shot Chirozva with his gun.It is alleged that the other three illegal miners ran away, but Chirozva remained lying on the ground.