Mental patient kills colleague in row over fireplace

By Auther Chimbgwa

ZVISHAVANE: A 34-year-old homeless mental patient has been arrested for fatally striking his colleague with a log and stone following a quarrel over a fireplace in the winter cold in Zvishavane.

Police spokesman for Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which happened at around 5am on 5 July behind LaLiga bar in Mandava suburb.

Mahoko said both the suspect Remitius Manduna and the now deceased Taruvinga Dema (48) had mental challenges.

Both were homeless and roamed the streets of Mandava in Zvishavane.

“The two had an altercation over a fire place behind Laliga bar.

“Manduna picked a log and a stone which he used to assault Dema on the head and face until he became unconscious,” Mahoko said.

Dema was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on admission.

Manduna comes from Village Manduna under Chief Tshovane in Chiredzi whilst the deceased comes from village Piyasi under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane.

Inspector Mahoko appealed to the public with mentally challenged relatives to seek medication or have them admitted at mental health institutions.