A 52-year-old man, Obert Dube, from the Jobe Village under Chief Bangwe in Mberengwa Clan, Zimbabwe, has allegedly hung his nephew, identified as Benefit, to death over the deceased’s lover, saying he (Benefit), was too young to date the said unnamed lover.
NewsdzeZimbabwe reports that Dube, who wanted to snatch his nephew’s girlfriend, beat the poor man to death before reportedly hanging his body on a tree outside his yard in a bid to conceal the crime.
He was said to have fled to South Africa after committing the alleged crime in an attempt to evade arrest. However, he was reportedly arrested a few days ago and appeared before Mberengwa Chief Magistrate, Mr Christopher Maturure, facing murder charges as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23.
Dube’s charges read in parts: “The State’s case is that on 13 August this year Dube killed his nephew, Benefit Dube, following a misunderstanding over a woman and he went into hiding.
“On the fateful day the court heard, Dube and Benefit were drinking beer at Jobe Shopping Centre when the latter’s girlfriend came to visit him. It is alleged that the uncle was not happy about it and he confronted Benefit. He ordered him to leave the woman alone as he was too young to date her, insinuating that he was the one suitable for her.
“The court also heard that a heated argument ensued and Benefit left the shopping centre with his girlfriend. At about 8p.m the same day, Benefit went to visit his uncle at his homestead where a misunderstanding arose over the same issue, resulting in the latter assaulting the former with fists.
“Dube allegedly hit Benefit on his left cheek below the ear and he fell to the ground and became unconscious. Dube immediately rendered first aid on his nephew and he regained consciousness.
“The following morning, Dube woke up at around 5am to go and check on Benefit but found him dead just outside his yard.
“Dube allegedly took a chain from his yoke and hanged Benefit’s body on a tree a few metres from his homestead and fled the scene to evade arrest.
“The matter was reported to the police who visited the scene and Benefit’s body was taken to Msume Hospital for a post-mortem. Dube was later arrested after police got a tip off from members of the public.”
Reports further reveal he was asked not to to plead and was remanded in custody.
The Magistrate, who was represented by Mr Hebert Tafa of Tafa and Associates, reportedly advised Dube to apply for bail at the High Court.
Comments