News / National
Commuter beaten to death for refusing to pay in foreign currency
28 Mar 2013 at 06:06hrs | Views
A MARONDERA-BOUND commuter was allegedly beaten and killed by a tout after reportedly refusing to pay for the trip from Harare in foreign currency soon after dollarisation four years ago.
The incident happened at Marondera bus terminus on March 27, 2009 when Allan Emmanuel had a heated argument with the now deceased, Mucheche Midzi, soon after the bus arrived at the dropping zone.
Emmanuel allegedly hit Midzi's head twice against the commuter omnibus body, resulting in the latter sustaining a swollen head and internal injuries which allegedly killed him.
On the day in question, Midzi is said to have had a heated argument with the bus conductor, Tawanda Mutamisi, who demanded that he pays for the trip in foreign currency.
Midzi, however, refused and offered to pay in local currency, a decision that did not go down well with Emmanuel, prompting him to intervene.
During the ensuing commotion, Emmanuel allegedly grabbed Midzi by the head and hit him against the body of the bus twice.
After the fracas, Midzi is said to have paid his fare and left the scene, but he had already sustained internal head injuries.
The following morning, Midzi was seen lying outside a local shop and his condition at the time had deteriorated. He was taken to Marondera General Hospital, where he later died.
A post-mortem report concluded that the cause of Midzi's death was "subdural haematoma and head injury due to blunt force secondary to assault".
Emmanuel appeared at the High Court yesterday [27 March 2013] before Justice Felistus Chatukuta charged with murder, but the trial could not commence after all the State witnesses failed to turn up.
The matter was then postponed indefinitely and Emmanuel is out of custody.
The incident happened at Marondera bus terminus on March 27, 2009 when Allan Emmanuel had a heated argument with the now deceased, Mucheche Midzi, soon after the bus arrived at the dropping zone.
Emmanuel allegedly hit Midzi's head twice against the commuter omnibus body, resulting in the latter sustaining a swollen head and internal injuries which allegedly killed him.
On the day in question, Midzi is said to have had a heated argument with the bus conductor, Tawanda Mutamisi, who demanded that he pays for the trip in foreign currency.
Midzi, however, refused and offered to pay in local currency, a decision that did not go down well with Emmanuel, prompting him to intervene.
During the ensuing commotion, Emmanuel allegedly grabbed Midzi by the head and hit him against the body of the bus twice.
After the fracas, Midzi is said to have paid his fare and left the scene, but he had already sustained internal head injuries.
The following morning, Midzi was seen lying outside a local shop and his condition at the time had deteriorated. He was taken to Marondera General Hospital, where he later died.
A post-mortem report concluded that the cause of Midzi's death was "subdural haematoma and head injury due to blunt force secondary to assault".
Emmanuel appeared at the High Court yesterday [27 March 2013] before Justice Felistus Chatukuta charged with murder, but the trial could not commence after all the State witnesses failed to turn up.
The matter was then postponed indefinitely and Emmanuel is out of custody.
Source - NewsDay
