The simmering tensions in Bindura’s mushikashika industry have boiled over once again, resulting in another tragic loss of life.
Phillip Kudzanai Tekesa, a 21-year-old hwindi from the Manhenga area, is now facing murder charges after allegedly striking a fellow tout with a brick during a dispute over a passenger.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 16th, 2024, near the Gains wholesale store close to the Trojan turn-off. The deceased tout, whose identity has not been released, was reportedly working at the time, attracting passengers for his vehicle.
Tekesa, who is alleged to have been working a different route, approached the deceased and demanded that he stop loading passengers onto the vehicle. The deceased, however, refused to comply, leading to an altercation between the two touts.
The situation escalated rapidly, with Tekesa allegedly picking up a common brick and striking the deceased once on the head. The blow resulted in a deep cut and profuse bleeding, leaving the victim critically injured.
Emergency services rushed the injured hwindi to Bindura Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. Sadly, the victim succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Tekesa was apprehended by the authorities and appeared before Mashonaland Central provincial magistrate Mr Tinashe Ndokera, facing murder charges. He was remanded in custody until September 4th, 2024, as investigations into the incident continue.
The prosecutor, Miss Victoria Choga, presented the case to the court, detailing the events leading up to the fatal altercation. She revealed that the dispute over the passenger was the catalyst for the violence, highlighting the simmering tensions within the mushikashika industry in Zimbabwe.
