Gweru Car Dealer, Peter Dube, Murder Trial Finally Begins In Bulawayo
The long-awaited murder trial of Peter Dube, a once prominent car dealer in Gweru, finally commenced in Bulawayo this week, following numerous setbacks that had repeatedly stalled proceedings.
Dube stands accused of a horrific double murder in 2021, stemming from a suspected love triangle.
The victims of the alleged shooting incident were Shelton Chiduku, who was believed to be the lover of Dube’s second wife, and Gamuchirai Mudungwe, her best friend.
While Dube’s second wife, Nyasha Nharingo, and her sister Nyaradzo survived the brutal attack, they were left deeply traumatised by the event.
The path to trial has been fraught with delays, including concerns over Dube’s mental state.
He initially claimed mental instability when the matter was scheduled to begin at the Gweru High Court Circuit last year.
However, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), a second medical examination conducted by a doctor in Bulawayo contradicted an earlier report from a Gweru-based doctor, confirming Dube was mentally fit to stand trial.
The absence of a key witness also contributed to the case’s protracted nature.
Dube faces serious charges, including two counts of double murder for the deaths of Shelton Chiduku and Gamuchirai Mudungwe.
He is also charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo, and her sister Nyaradzo, both of whom miraculously survived despite sustaining serious injuries.
Following the shootings, Dube fled Zimbabwe, embarking on a complex evasion of justice.
He first sought refuge in South Africa before moving to Eswatini, where he managed to acquire a fake passport under the false identity of Xolile Mtsali.
His flight continued to Ireland, where he sought asylum using fraudulent documents, leading to his arrest in Dublin for immigration fraud.
He was subsequently deported to Mozambique, which ultimately confirmed his true Zimbabwean identity and facilitated his handover to Zimbabwean authorities.
Dube used the false Mozambican identity of Armando Quenete Muchanga when he was deported from Ireland to Mozambique.
If convicted of these grave charges, Dube could face a life imprisonment sentence.
