Beer row ends in tragedy

A SOLDIER based at 5 Infantry Battalion on the outskirts of Kwekwe was on Monday night fatally head-butted by a colleague in a brawl over whose turn it was to buy the next round of beer.

Onias Moyo (26) was pronounced dead on admission at Kwekwe District Hospital after being head-butted by Bruce Dungeni, a member of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, who has since been arrested and was now assisting police with investigations.

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) public relations officer Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore confirmed the incident, but referred further questions to the police.

“I can only confirm that our member died following a brawl in Kwekwe. The culprit has been apprehended and is assisting police with investigations. You can get in touch with the police,” he said.

Sources close to the investigations said, Moyo and Dungeni were drinking beer at Linda Bar when the dispute arose.

“The two were drinking together since morning in company of their friends. They, however, had a misunderstanding around 8pm over who would buy the next round and they started fighting,” said a source who requested not to be named.

The source said while the two were exchanging blows, a friend Steven Samuel tried to restrain them but failed.

“Dungeni then head-butted the deceased who started bleeding from the nose and mouth.

“He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon admission,” said the source.