Man drives home dying friend, mistaking him for being drunk

A night of drinking in Gweru ended in tragedy after a 22-year-old man unknowingly drove his fatally wounded friend home, thinking he was merely unconscious from alcohol.

Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday after a night out at The Barn nightclub.

The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Panashe Mashate, was reportedly stabbed while attempting to break up a fight between his friend, Munashe Magura, and another man.

"The incident happened while they were drinking beer at The Barn nightclub in Gweru. Mashate saw Magura quarrelling with another man over some ice blocks and tried to intervene. The other man fled the scene," said Insp Mahoko.

After the altercation, the two friends decided to go home in Mashate's vehicle.

"The now deceased became unconscious while seated on the driver's seat. Magura assumed his friend had passed out due to intoxication, so he moved him to the passenger's seat and drove to Clifton Park, where they both stay," Insp Mahoko added.

Upon arrival, Magura realised something was wrong when he noticed blood stains on his trousers. He tried to wake Mashate, who was unresponsive and bleeding from a stab wound to the stomach.

Police were called to the scene and confirmed Mashate's death. His body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Insp Mahoko said investigations are underway to identify and locate the suspect responsible for the fatal stabbing.