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Walter Mswazie Masvingo correspondent
A 33-year-old man from Gutu’s Chief Munyaradzi area was allegedly fatally struck with a stone by a colleague in a dispute over a crate of opaque beer.

Chief Munyaradzi yesterday told Chronicle on the sidelines of the Traditional Leaders’ Day commemorations held in Masvingo that Daniel Mashamba of Rafamoyo was allegedly killed by his colleague, Tapiwa Mapika, 22, of the same village on Monday around 10PM following a misunderstanding over beer bought for them by someone who had engaged them to ferry manure.

He said Mashamba was rushed to Gutu Mission Hospital where he died on arrival.

“I can confirm receiving a report to that effect. However, I’m yet to get full details of what exactly transpired as I only heard that the two were fighting over opaque beer that they were given since they were ferrying manure for a fellow villager,” said Chief Munyaradzi.

A villager, Emmanuel Tione said trouble started after Mashamba, Mabika and one Brian Makanga,18, finished ferrying manure at a nearby homestead.

“On Monday at around 6PM, the trio was ferrying manure at Trust Rafamoyo’s homestead using his scotch cart. As they were working, Rafamoyo brought two crates of scuds for the two to drink while working,” said Tione.

He said at around 10PM the two finished ferrying manure but they had one crate of scuds left.

“All hell broke loose when Mashamba wanted to go with the remaining crate alone instead of sharing with Mabika. Daniel took the crate to Makanga Business Centre in the same area arguing that Mabika was already drunk and he wanted to drink with some patrons.

“Mabika followed him to the business centre where upon arrival a dispute ensued between the two leading to a fight,” he said.

After a few minutes, Makanga heard noise suggesting that the pair was quarrelling over beer and informed Rafamoyo and the two went to investigate.

Tione said upon arrival Makanga and Rafamoyo found Mashamba lying unconscious on his back while vomiting.

“His forehead had a small cut and Mabika was standing while complaining that Mashamba had torn his T-shirt. Rafamoyo then sought transport from a local businessman who rushed Mashamba to Gutu Mission Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival,” said Tione.

A report was made to Gutu police leading to Mabika’s arrest.

He is expected to appear in court in due course facing a murder charge.