The ManicaPost
WHAT was meant to be a blissful night enjoying the beautiful game of soccer ended tragically after a Penhalonga man was murdered by patrons who were against the idea of closing the bar in the middle of the World Cup match between Brazil and Mexico.
Confirming the incident, deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda said the three men who fatally assaulted Ernest Nyabinde were arrested and are set to appear in court soon.
The three, Elisha Matambanadzo (27), Custon Benito (28) and Blessing Thompson (27), are all from Penhalonga. On the day in question, the three were drinking beer with other patrons at Borntuff Bar in Tsvingwe while watching a soccer match between Brazil and Mexico. Nyabinde was also among the patrons.
“Sometime in the middle of the match, the bar attendant, Lawrence Ndisengei (20), told the patrons that it was time to close the bar and he started to shut the doors. The other patrons started protesting saying he should close after the match.
“Instead of joining the ‘protesters’, Nyabinde helped the bar attendant to close the bar, something which did not go down well with the accused men,” said Asst Insp Chananda.
A misunderstanding ensued between Matambanadzo’s crew and Nyabinde.
They allegedly dragged Nyabinde outside and started assaulting him with fists and feet.
One of the accused took out a knife with which he stabbed Nyabinde on the right thigh. They then ran away, leaving Nyabinde bleeding.
Ndisengei later took Nyabinde to Mutare Provincial Hospital, but he died on the way.
A police report was made the following day, leading to the arrest of Matambanadzo and his friends.
Asst Insp Chananda warned the public against moving around with weapons.
He also discouraged people from using violence as a way of solving disputes.
