Triangle Bar Lady Acquitted Over Fatal Stone That Hit Boy (7)
CHIREDZI — A Triangle bar lady who threw a stone to stop a violent Christmas Day fight has been acquitted of culpable homicide — after the stone accidentally struck and killed a seven-year-old boy outside the beerhall.
Makazviita Kuyumani (38), a bar attendant at Chitepo Beerhall in Triangle, was cleared last week by Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu, who ruled that Kuyumani acted without intent to harm and was trying to defuse a dangerous situation.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2024, around 2pm, during a heated dispute between two patrons.
According to court proceedings, Edison Mugada and Blessing Zivanemoyo had been arguing throughout the afternoon.
Mugada later left the beerhall and returned armed with a stone.
Kuyumani intercepted him at the entrance, disarmed him, and threw the stone outside to prevent further violence.
Tragically, the stone struck Norest Mudhumani (7), who was walking nearby with his brother.
The boy cried out in pain, prompting Kuyumani to rush outside, clean the wound, and send him home.
Mudhumani did not immediately inform his parents, but the next morning they noticed bleeding from his head and took him to Chiredzi General Hospital, where the injury was stitched.
Kuyumani later visited the family and gave them US$50 for hospital treatment, followed by another US$20 for medication when the boy began experiencing headaches.
Despite these efforts, Mudhumani died on January 5, 2025.
A post-mortem conducted at Chiredzi General Hospital confirmed the cause of death as bleeding from the skull.
The case was initially treated as murder but was later downgraded to culpable homicide. During trial proceedings, Kuyumani’s actions were described as an attempt to prevent further harm inside the beerhall.
Magistrate Zuyu stated, “She didn’t intentionally throw the stone and was diffusing a bar fight.”
The court also considered Kuyumani’s voluntary financial support and her follow-up visits to the family as signs of remorse and responsibility.
According to Midweek Watch, Kuyumani gave a total of US$70 to assist with medical expenses and personally checked on the boy’s condition after the incident.
Tanyaradzwa Tinago prosecuted the case, which concluded with Kuyumani walking free after the court found no criminal liability in the accidental death.
