Man arrested for murdering friend over beer

By Tiyanjane Mwambucha – Mana

Police at Mponela, Dowa are keeping in custody a 46-year-old man, Joseph Phinifolo for allegedly murdering his friend over beer.

According to the Police, On May 11, 2020 the suspect went for a drinking spree with his friend, Mbirintengerenji Shuku (now deceased). 

While drinking, the two started quarrelling over the beer and a fight broke out. 

Phinifolo is said to have hit Shuku on the head with a fist and his colleague fell down unconscious. 

He was taken to Mtengowanthenga Mission Hospital where he died upon arrival.

Police visited the scene of crime accompanied by a medical officer who singled out head injuries as cause of death.

The suspect will appear before Court soon to answer a charge of murder which contravenes section 209 of the penal code.

Phinifolo hails from Chauwa village, while 51-year-old Shuku hailed from Mkuziwaduka village both of Traditional Authority (TA) Mponela in Dowa.

In a related development, an unknown man was on Tuesday found dead in the district.

Police said a certain man went to cut reeds along Kasangadzi River. 

While there, he found a dead body of an unknown man in a decomposed state with a rope on the neck.

After seeing this, the man went to inform the village headman who reported the matter to Mponela Police Station. 

Following the report, police accompanied by a medical officer from Mponela Rural Hospital visited the scene.

Post-mortem revealed that death was due to suffocation secondary to strangulation.

Investigations are still underway to establish circumstances leading to his death.

Mana/tnm/mc/tha