WHAT others may term to be a seemingly minor disagreement between flatmates in Ngwenya compound has escalated into a tragic loss of life.
Dominic Saputu, a 55-year-old resident, succumbed to injuries sustained during a violent altercation with his neighbour, Kakoma Saumba Kasweka.
The incident happened on Saturday evening when Saputu, returning home from a drinking session, encountered Kasweka on a shared pathway.
Around 19:00 hours that day, Saputu returned home and found Kasweta standing on the path way.
In his drunken stupor, it is reported that he got irritated and told the suspect, “Choka munjila iwe idiot nifuna kupita (move out of my way you idiot I want to pass).”
But that comment only angered Kasweta whose temper stirred up immediately like a man cheated on in the Equatorial Guinea sex fiasco.
A heated exchange ensued, fueled by alcohol and escalating tensions.
Kasweta picked a plank which was lying on the ground within the yard and used it to repeatedly hit Saputu on his body.
As a result, he sustained a swollen chest, swollen rib cage and general body pains causing him to become unconscious, shortly after the attack.
The duo’s landlord, Peter Samangolwa aged 55 who witnessed the acrimony and saw the state of Sapatu immediately rushed to inform the victim’s grandson, Obby Chinoya aged 25.
The victim was rushed to a local clinic and subsequently transferred to Livingstone University Teaching Hospital after the matter was later reported at Mbita Police Post.
Saputu later passed away on Sunday morning.
Southern Province Police Commanding Officer, Auxensio Daka confirmed the incident.
He said Police visited the suspect in hospital where they issued a medical report after observing the aforementioned injuries.
“Unfortunately, he died on Sunday around 05:00 hours whilst in admission. The body was deposited in Batoka Hospital mortuary awaiting Post-mortem. As police opened a docket in the matter and arrested the suspect,” said Daka.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba November 7, 2024
