Shurugwi man 'fatally assaults' girlfriend

A man in Shurugwi allegedly fatally beat up his girlfriend after reportedly finding her in the company of another man behind her bedroom, police have reported.

Police identified the woman as Maybe Last Dube, of Chirasha Mine, Dzikamidzi Cooperative in Shurugwi.

Acting Midlands police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident happened on Sunday between 10pm and 11pm at Chirasha Mine in Shurugwi.

He said Dube died at Gweru Provincial Hospital after her boyfriend, Garikai Mpofu (32), in a fit of rage, banged her head thrice against a stone.

"On the said date, it is alleged that Mpofu visited his girlfriend Dube at her homestead and failed to locate her. He later spotted her at the back of her bedroom with another lover. The other lover (whose name has not been given) fled the scene upon noticing that he had been spotted," said Asst Insp Mahoko.

He said Mpofu grabbed Dube and banged her head thrice against a stone.

The acting Midlands police spokesperson said Mpofu also kicked Dube all over her body.

He only stopped when the woman pleaded for mercy.

"The two then proceeded to Mpofu's homestead where the suspect assaulted Dube with an electric cord all over her body. The suspect later woke up his 62-year-old father asking him to ferry Dube to Shurugwi District Hospital," said Asst Insp Mahoko.

He said Dube's condition deteriorated and she was transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

Asst Insp Mahoko said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and arrested Mpofu.

"On the same day that Mpofu was arrested, a police report was made to the effect that Dube had died. Her body was conveyed to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for a postmortem," he said.

In another incident, a 33-year old Gokwe man died on his way to Musita Clinic after he allegedly drank poison following a misunderstanding with his nephew.

Police said Reuben Sibanda, of Asafu Village under Chief Sai in Gokwe North was involved in a heated dispute with his nephew, Mr Andrew Madzvamuse, who accused him of having an affair with his wife.

Asst Insp Mahoko said Sibanda was in his field when his nephew, Madzvamuse, from the same village, approached him alleging that he was having an affair with his wife.

This incident happened on Friday last week.

"Allegations are that on Friday last week, Sibanda was in his fields when his nephew approached him and accused him of having an affair with his wife. Andrew allegedly went on to assault Sibanda with a stick. On Saturday the following day at about 7.30am, Madzvamuse teamed up with his younger brother Trymore and visited Sibanda's homestead. They took turns to assault him with a stick," said Asst Insp Mahoko.

Sibanda escaped to his fields where he was found by his wife, Ms Agnes Khumalo lying with some froth in the mouth, but could not speak.

"On his side there was a plastic container labelled Lambnex 5EC, which is suspected to be a cotton pesticide. His wife called the neighbours, who assisted by carrying Sibanda to Musita Clinic in a scotch cart. Sibanda died on the way to the clinic. The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene leading to the arrest of brothers, Andrew and Trymore, who are assisting police with investigations," said Asst Insp Mahoko.

Police urged members of the public to consult or engage third parties like elders when faced with problems to avoid such incidents.