Man killed over girlfriend

A dispute between two city street urchins ended tragically after a 25-year-old man was assaulted while having a beer drink at Chidzere Bar in Mutare city centre.

The murder which left perennial beer guzzlers and patrons at the bar stunned happened last Friday at around 8pm.

The alleged murderer, Blessing Mambondiani (24), is in police custody after he fatally assaulted Maintain (surname not available) with fists and feet.

Maintain died upon admission at Mutare Provincial Hospital.

Narrating the gruesome murder last Monday, witnesses who requested anonymity, said the two who have been street kids for years could not find common ground over a woman named Tarisai who was allegedly "snatched" by Maintain much to the chagrin of Mambondiani who resorted to fist fighting.

He said, on the day in question, the two could not agree on anything as Mambondiani blamed Maintain for being a "traitor" who deserved some "discipline".

"We were gambling (tichitamba makasi), trying to raise some money to attend Suluman's show that night. We were with Bule (Mambondiani) when Maintain arrived. Mambondiani, acting like a possessed person confronted Maintain accusing him of snatching his girlfriend, Tarisai. No one thought it would be that disastrous.

"They exchanged harsh words and started fighting. Bule pushed Maintain at the door. We never concentrated on them till I realised that Maintain was down and struggling to breathe. I fetched some water and poured it onto his face. He was really in pain.

"We realised that he had been beaten heavily on his chest and forehead. He became unconscious and that is when we all started to worry. It was a sorry sight. The good thing is my other friends managed to effect a citizen's arrest on Bule.

"Mambondiani that night was wild and sadistic. He started shouting that ini handinzwaro. We tried first aid therapy to no avail. I think it was too late," he said adding that Mambondiani was naturally a violent person who was "difficult to deal with".

Another witness who identified herself as Chiedza said not even strenuous efforts by guards at the bar could tame Mambondiani who looked so vicious and determined to kill.

"He (Mambondiani) was uncontrollable. We did our best to stop him from further assaulting the hapless Maintain. I know Tarisai personally and she had been the centre of controversy for so many months.

"Tari actually belonged to Mambondiani before Maintain "scooped" her from him. They always argued about the issue, but I think what added salt to the already cancerous wound was that Maintain had taken Tari to where he would usually sleep, kumaIndustry for four days.

"Mambondiani spend four days without seeing Tari before he learnt from his friends who are also street kids that she had been "detained" by Maintain.

"That is when it all started until they met at the bar. They were all drunk and I could sense danger. Mambondiani was wild and under the influence of alcohol that night. Unfortunately we lost Maintain and I hope justice will take its course," she said.

Mambondiani is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.

Assistant Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, said investigations were in progress.

"We urge members of the public to desist from resorting to violence as a way of trying to solve disputes. It is also unadvisable to solve disputes when under the influence of alcohol. People should seek third parties to help them solve their problems to avoid unnecessary and unexpected loss of lives," said Asst Insp Chananda.