Taunting workmate over child’s paternity leads to death

A MEMBER of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) reportedly killed his workmate at Manyame Air Base for taunting him over the paternity of a child.

The now deceased, Constantine Mudanda confronted Taguma Chakanyuka boasting that the child he (Chakanyuka) was looking after was not his. Mudanda claimed to have impregnated Chakanyuka’s wife, and this angered Chakanyuka who then bashed him to death, the court heard on Monday.

Chakanyuka (36) is now being charged with murder.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa who remanded him in custody to September 24 with instructions to approach the High Court for bail.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on September 7 at around 2300 hours, Mudanda and Chakanyuka were involved in an altercation after the later had boasted to the former that he had sired a child with his (Chakanyuka’s) wife hence the child Chakanyuka thought was his, was in fact not his daughter.

It is the State’s case that the altercation escalated, prompting the colleagues to intervene and calm them down.

Mudanda and Chakanyuka later resolved their differences.

Hours later, Mudanda who was drunk confronted Chakanyuka again and further claimed that he was the father of Chakanyuka’s daughter, it is alleged.

This incensed Chakanyuka and a fight ensued.

Chakanyuka punched, kicked and clapped him several times all over the body. Mudanda escaped and ran away with Chakanyuka in hot pursuit. Chakanyuka caught up with him and continued assaulting him.

Due to the assault, Mudanda became unconscious and Chakanyuka fled the scene and went to his quarters leaving Mudanda lying on the ground.

He sustained severe injuries all over his body and was found the following morning by his workmates still unconscious.

He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to the State, Chakanyuka was captured by closed circuit television (CCTV) while committing the offence and the video footage will be used as evidence in court.