Gweru Man Drives Dead Friend Home Thinking He Was Too Drunk

A 22-year-old man from Gweru unwittingly drove his dying friend home, believing he had simply passed out from drinking.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident to B-Metro. He said it occurred in the early hours of Monday following a night out at The Barn nightclub.

The victim, 38-year-old Panashe Mashate, had been stabbed while attempting to break up a fight between his friend, Munashe Magura, and another man during a dispute over ice blocks. Said Inspector Mahoko:

“The incident happened while they were drinking beer at The Barn nightclub in Gweru.”

Inspector Mahoko said Mashate had stepped in to break up the fight, after which the attacker fled. Moments later, the two friends decided to head home in Mashate’s car.

While sitting in the driver’s seat, Mashate lost consciousness, and Magura assumed his friend was simply too drunk to drive. He moved him to the passenger seat and took the wheel, driving to their home in Clifton Park, a high-density suburb.

It was only upon arrival that Magura noticed blood on Mashate’s trousers and realised that something was seriously wrong. Said Insp. Mahoko:

“He tried to talk to Mashate who did not respond and was bleeding from the stomach.”

Police were called to the scene and confirmed that Mashate had died from a stab wound to the abdomen.

His body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary as investigations continue.

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