News / Regional
Man mistakes workmate for thief, fatally strikes him with an axe
19 Apr 2013 at 00:06hrs | Views
A 23-year-old mine worker from Esigodini allegedly fatally struck a workmate after mistaking him for a thief.
Qhubekani Bongani Mathe, of Masuku Village under Chief Sigola was employed together with the late Thabani Mpofu at Zimbili 4 Mine in Fort Rixon.
Mathe was not asked to plead to murder charges when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Takundwa Witness Mtetwa on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody to May 2. Allegations against Mathe, according to prosecutor Mr Acumen Khuphe are that on April 9, he was at his workplace sleeping in a tent when he heard footsteps at about 10pm.
It is alleged that Mathe inquired who it was but got no response from Mpofu who kept walking towards the tent.
The court heard that Mpofu started throwing stones towards the tent where Mathe was but missed him.
Mathe, who thought that it was a thief, also picked stones and started throwing them towards Mpofu.
The court heard that the two men advanced towards each other and Mathe, who had armed himself with an axe, struck Mpofu with it once on the head.
Mpofu fell down unconscious, bleeding. Noticing that he had seriously injured his workmate, Mathe rushed to a neighbouring village to seek help but when he returned in the company of some villagers, Mpofu had left the scene.
Mpofu was found dead three days later about 2km away from the mine.
He had a deep cut on the head where he was allegedly struck by the axe.
Qhubekani Bongani Mathe, of Masuku Village under Chief Sigola was employed together with the late Thabani Mpofu at Zimbili 4 Mine in Fort Rixon.
Mathe was not asked to plead to murder charges when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Takundwa Witness Mtetwa on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody to May 2. Allegations against Mathe, according to prosecutor Mr Acumen Khuphe are that on April 9, he was at his workplace sleeping in a tent when he heard footsteps at about 10pm.
It is alleged that Mathe inquired who it was but got no response from Mpofu who kept walking towards the tent.
Mathe, who thought that it was a thief, also picked stones and started throwing them towards Mpofu.
The court heard that the two men advanced towards each other and Mathe, who had armed himself with an axe, struck Mpofu with it once on the head.
Mpofu fell down unconscious, bleeding. Noticing that he had seriously injured his workmate, Mathe rushed to a neighbouring village to seek help but when he returned in the company of some villagers, Mpofu had left the scene.
Mpofu was found dead three days later about 2km away from the mine.
He had a deep cut on the head where he was allegedly struck by the axe.
Source - Courts
