Guard fatally strikes workmate over hoe

A SECURITY guard fatally struck his workmate with a steel rod in a row over a hoe, a judge heard yesterday.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva heard this when Vincent Mpofu, 46, of Steeldale area, appeared before him facing a murder charge.

Prosecuting, Angeline Munyeriwa narrated how on November 23 last year, shortly after 8PM, Mpofu and the victim, Enock Manyanga, had a misunderstanding over a hoe, which the security guard had borrowed from a co-worker, Martin Ncube.

Mpofu, Ncube and Manyanga were employed as security guards at Timberland Windows and Doors and lived on the company premises at Steeldale industrial area.

"On November 23 last year, Mpofu came to the guardroom within the company premises during which he had a misunderstanding with Manyanga. Mpofu confronted Manyanga accusing him of delaying in returning the hoe so that he could weed his field," said Munyeriwa.
The court heard that Ncube intervened and restrained his two workmates and Manyanga left the guardroom.

However, later on Manyanga went back to the guardroom and tried to force his way into the room but Mpofu, who was inside, blocked him.

The two men started arguing and Manyanga punched Mpofu who retaliated.
"Mpofu armed himself with a steel rod and struck Manyanga on the back of his head and he fell down and he continued assaulting the victim as he lay helplessly on the ground until he died," said Munyeriwa.

He said Ncube disarmed Mpofu who was arrested after a police report was made.
In his testimony, Ncube told the court that he was awakened by noise as Mpofu and Manyanga scuffled.

"I was sleeping in my room when I heard some noise emanating outside and when I went to investigate that is when I saw Mpofu pursuing Manyanga carrying a steel rod. From a distance of about 10 metres, I saw Mpofu striking Manyanga twice on the head with the iron rod," said Ncube.

"Manyanga fell down and Mpofu continued to attack him while he was on the ground and I quickly rushed to the scene and wrestled with the accused until I managed to disarm him. I then later on tried to render first aid but unfortunately Manyanga was already dead. I phoned my employer who arrived and we proceeded to Mzilikazi Police Station and reported the matter."

A postmortem report was also produced in court.
In his defence through his lawyer, Simba Mawere, Mpofu said he acted in self defence.