Man unknowingly drives dead friend home

A night of drinking ended in heartbreak in Gweru when 38-year-old Panashe Mashate died from a stab wound after an altercation at a local nightclub.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday following a night at The Barn nightclub. Mashate was reportedly stabbed while attempting to intervene in a fight between his friend, 22-year-old Munashe Magura, and another man over ice blocks. The attacker fled the scene immediately after the stabbing.

Moments later, Mashate and Magura decided to drive home in Mashate's car. While in the car, Mashate became unconscious. Believing his friend was merely too intoxicated to drive, Magura moved him to the passenger seat and took the wheel, driving to their home in Clifton Park, a high-density suburb.

It was only upon arrival that Magura noticed blood stains on his trousers and realised Mashate had been seriously injured. "He tried to talk to Mashate, who did not respond and was bleeding from the stomach," Inspector Mahoko said.

Police were called to the scene and confirmed that Mashate had died from a stab wound. His body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary as investigations into the incident continue. Authorities are appealing to witnesses to come forward to help identify the attacker.