A man from Lower Gweru was allegedly severely assaulted, strangled and left for dead by his two friends for refusing to give them traditional beer during a function he held at his homestead.

This was heard at the initial appearance of Simayedwa Mpofu (40), of Wooden Farm in Lower Gweru, before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa, facing one count of attempted murder.
His alleged accomplice Barnabas Nyathi is still at large.

Mpofu pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody to February 13 for continuation of trial.

For the State, Mr Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on August 20 last year at around 5PM, Amos Bhebhe was heading to his home from his workplace when he met Mpofu and Nyathi.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi questioned him why he had refused to give them some traditional beer for free at the last traditional ceremony which he had hosted.

“Bhebhe tried to explain to Mpofu and Nyathi that he had not denied them any traditional beer but rather there was no more traditional beer to be served,” said Mr Guvheya.

The court heard that Mpofu and Nyathi allegedly began to assault Bhebhe all over his body with fists and kicked him many times.

The court heard that the duo allegedly went on to strangle Bhebhe before leaving him for dead.

Mr Guvheya said Bhebhe allegedly tried to proceed with his journey home but unfortunately fell down as he had suffered serious injuries.

“The complainant was discovered the following day lying unconscious next to the road by a Good Samaritan who then helped him and made a report to the police,” he said.
Mpofu was arrested while Mpofu managed to flee from the police.-State media