A MAN who demanded a beer “upgrade” at a party died after being bashed with a chair on the head, the Bulawayo High Court heard on Thursday.
His killer will serve three years in jail after being convicted of culpable homicide.
Brighton Bura Chivaro, of Manningdale, Bulawayo, was “tired” of drinking opaque beer and approached the organisers of a Christmas party held in his neighbourhood last December to demand the more pricey clear beer.
The court heard that after being offered another two litres of the traditional brew, Chivaro confronted Dumisani Nkomo, 31, whom he accused of blocking his access to bottled alcohol. Nkomo had previously advised Chivaro that the clear beer was reserved for those who contributed money to the merry-making.
“He wanted an upgrade, he said he was tired of the opaque brew,” said Evans Mungoni, prosecuting.
A fist fight ensued between the two men and after fellow revellers separated them, Chivaro made threats that he would stab Nkomo, according to witness testimony.
Nkomo, said the prosecutor, grabbed a 5kg metal chair and slammed Chivaro on the head.
“Chivaro bled from a cut to his head and was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where he died on December 26,” Mungoni said.
Justice Nicholas Ndou acquitted Nkomo of murder but found him guilty on the lesser charge of culpable homicide. The judge ruled that Chivaro was the initial aggressor, and concluded that alcohol had played a major part in the violence.
He was sentenced to six years in jail, but three were conditionally suspended.
Delivering sentence, Justice Ndou said: “It’s now very common that people lose lives during periods of socialisation and drinking. It is advisable that when people drink and socialise, they should avoid violent behaviour at all costs, as this usually results in unnecessary loss of life.”