A 37-YEAR-OLD soldier stationed at the Zimbabwe Army National Ordnance Supply Depot in Harare has appeared in court facing a murder charge after allegedly fatally assaulting a man during a dispute over an Okapi knife.
Challenge Kutadzaushe (37) appeared before a Harare magistrate in connection with the death of Tadiwanashe Pedzisai Matapeta (31).
The court heard that on March 15, Kutadzaushe and the now-deceased had a misunderstanding over an Okapi knife.
It is alleged that Kutadzaushe struck Matapeta with a fist on the nose, causing him to fall and hit his head on the edge of a snooker table, resulting in a serious injury.
Prosecutors said the accused then carried the injured man to a nearby shack, where he left him lying motionless before returning to his residence.
The following day, Kutadzaushe reportedly returned and found the victim still motionless.
He allegedly bought maheu and attempted to feed him, but the victim struggled to drink.
Police later received a tip-off about the incident. When officers went the shack the found the victim in a bad state, with the accused present and arrested him.
- Soldier in court over fatal knife dispute
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The court heard that the victim was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital, where a CT scan confirmed a severe head injury.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit where he succumbed to his injuries.
