News / National
Commuters bashes man to death
01 Dec 2012 at 00:19hrs | Views
A 23-year-old man from Chiredzi was beaten to death by passengers in a commuter omnibus when he and a friend allegedly disarmed security guards before assaulting them, police confirmed yesterday.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Tuesday and identified the deceased as Elisha Matindike of 2476 Magwaza Road, Tshovani Township.
Insp Zhanero said on Saturday at about 6pm, Matindike and his friend Evans Magaisa (27) of the same address were allegedly coming from a soccer match at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.
"On their way home, the two who were suspected to be drunk, started harassing people. When they reached TN Bank, they allegedly met Ms Esther Nhamoinesu (24) who was in the company of her husband, Mr Stephen Makanyiwa," said Insp Zhanero.
He said the two allegedly insulted Mr Makanyiwa accusing him of being not man enough.
"Magaisa and Matindike allegedly called the man all sorts of names, saying he was not man enough because he was not circumcised like other men in Chiredzi. They then attacked Mr Makanyiwa and he ran away leaving behind his wife.
"The two grabbed the wife and allegedly started caressing her before she got off from the two men's grip and escaped. When she escaped she allegedly sought refuge from two security guards who were manning TN Bank and ZB Bank," he said.
Unperturbed, the two allegedly went on to attack the security guards, overpowered and disarmed them of their batons.
"Matindike and Magaisa allegedly assaulted the guards with the batons all over their bodies.
However, during the assault, a commuter omnibus arrived at the scene and some passengers disembarked and rescued the guards who were now calling for help.
"The passengers allegedly assaulted the two with the batons they had wrestled from them. The two were finally arrested by the security guards who took them to Triangle Police Station where assault and indecent assault charges were preferred against them," said Insp Zhanero.
The pair was released on Sunday after paying a fine of $20 each for the charge of assault.
They were, however, summoned to appear in court on Tuesday at the Chiredzi Magistrate Courts on a charge of indecent assault.
He said the two went to Chiredzi Police Station on Tuesday where they reported a case of assault against the two security guards, but Matindike suddenly fell ill and was admitted to Chiredzi Hospital where he died a few hours later.
"It is suspected the man died from the injuries he sustained from the assault by kombi passengers. His body was taken to Chiredzi Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
"No arrest has been made but investigations are in progress," said Insp Zhanero.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Tuesday and identified the deceased as Elisha Matindike of 2476 Magwaza Road, Tshovani Township.
Insp Zhanero said on Saturday at about 6pm, Matindike and his friend Evans Magaisa (27) of the same address were allegedly coming from a soccer match at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.
"On their way home, the two who were suspected to be drunk, started harassing people. When they reached TN Bank, they allegedly met Ms Esther Nhamoinesu (24) who was in the company of her husband, Mr Stephen Makanyiwa," said Insp Zhanero.
He said the two allegedly insulted Mr Makanyiwa accusing him of being not man enough.
"Magaisa and Matindike allegedly called the man all sorts of names, saying he was not man enough because he was not circumcised like other men in Chiredzi. They then attacked Mr Makanyiwa and he ran away leaving behind his wife.
"The two grabbed the wife and allegedly started caressing her before she got off from the two men's grip and escaped. When she escaped she allegedly sought refuge from two security guards who were manning TN Bank and ZB Bank," he said.
Unperturbed, the two allegedly went on to attack the security guards, overpowered and disarmed them of their batons.
However, during the assault, a commuter omnibus arrived at the scene and some passengers disembarked and rescued the guards who were now calling for help.
"The passengers allegedly assaulted the two with the batons they had wrestled from them. The two were finally arrested by the security guards who took them to Triangle Police Station where assault and indecent assault charges were preferred against them," said Insp Zhanero.
The pair was released on Sunday after paying a fine of $20 each for the charge of assault.
They were, however, summoned to appear in court on Tuesday at the Chiredzi Magistrate Courts on a charge of indecent assault.
He said the two went to Chiredzi Police Station on Tuesday where they reported a case of assault against the two security guards, but Matindike suddenly fell ill and was admitted to Chiredzi Hospital where he died a few hours later.
"It is suspected the man died from the injuries he sustained from the assault by kombi passengers. His body was taken to Chiredzi Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
"No arrest has been made but investigations are in progress," said Insp Zhanero.
Source - TC
