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Danisa Masuku, Chronicle Correspondent
A 20–YEAR–OLD man from Silobela was kicked, punched and struck with an empty bottle on the head by a gang of seven men until he died during a beer drinking binge.

Takunda Phiri was drinking beer at Bravolands Nightclub at Silobela Business Centre on Wednesday last week when a misunderstanding ensued between him and one of the gang members Tomie Mutasa (30).

A police source said Phiri over-powered Mutasa and that prompted some of the gang members – Bongani Magutshwa (35), Shepherd Dube (22), Tinashe Mathosi (27), Ndodana Nyoni (21), Brian Khumalo (18) and Brave Mathwala (28) to join the fight to save Mutasa.

The source said the gang turned Phiri into a punching bag.

“They took turns to kick and punch him. The savage attack turned nasty when one of the attackers hit Phiri with an empty bottle on the face. Blood gushed out,” said the source.

The source said the gang fled from the scene leaving Phiri unconscious in a pool of blood.

“A Good Samaritan rushed him to Silobela District Hospital where he died upon admission,” said the source.

Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we arrested seven men who allegedly murdered a 20 year-old man after they had an argument with him. They struck him with a bottle,” said Ass Insp Mukwende