Killed over 'prostitute'

A MAN from Denver farm in Umguza has been arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing a drinking mate in a heated argument over a suspected prostitute.

A court in Bulawayo yesterday heard how an argument ensued when Zibusiso Khumalo approached the hooker for sex outside a bar where they were drinking on 10 October.

A man, whose name was not mentioned in court, allegedly attacked Khumalo, claiming the woman was his girlfriend.

The two fought fiercely using an axe and a knife. Khumalo allegedly fatally stabbed his rival.

Khumalo appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Miss Evelyn Mashavakure for initial remand.

He was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to October 25.

The court heard that Khumalo was with two friends who are still at large when the argument erupted.

In his warned and cautioned statement, he claimed he stabbed the now deceased in self defence.

"He aimed an axe at my head and I ducked. He grazed my forehead and mouth as he continued trying to hit me. I sustained a light cut on the forehead. His attack made me draw my Okapi knife. I did not intend to kill him, I just wanted to scare him off," read the statement.

Prosecuting, Miss Leean Nkomo told the court that the now deceased, whose name was not disclosed in court, saw Khumalo talking to the hooker and claimed that she was his girlfriend.

"Accused was in the company of his two friends who are still at large. They had a heated argument over a prostitute. It ended in a fist fight. Accused person drew an Okapi knife from his trousers pocket and stabbed the now deceased twice on the chest. The now deceased tried to run away but he eventually collapsed and died," said Miss Nkomo.

"Accused was caught by the police. He admitted to stabbing the now deceased. An Okapi knife that was used to commit the offence was found in his possession. He made positive indications to the police of where and how he had committed the offence." —@tannytkay