Man fatally assaults drinking mate

A beer brawl ended tragically for a reveller who was fatally assaulted by a drinking mate at a local joint early this month.

Blessing Mambondiyani (25) appeared before Mutare magistrate Charles Murowe last Tuesday facing murder charges, but was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to April 23.

He was told he could apply for bail at the High Court.

It is the State's case that on April 5 at around 10pm at Chidzere Bar, Mambondiyani was drinking beer with other revellers, including the now-deceased.

The court heard that a brawl ensued between the now-deceased and Mabondiyani resulting in accused heavily assaulting the reveller.

According to the State, Mambondiyani is said to have dragged the now-deceased outside the bar by his collar. He then struck him with a fist on the head once and then on the chest.

The now-deceased then fell to the ground and efforts to apply first aid on him proved fruitless.

He was ferried to Mutare Provincial Hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

In denying him bail, magistrate Murowe noted that Mabondiyani was of no fixed abode and was a flight risk.