Crimes and Courts Correspondent
The murder trial of Peter Dube, a Gweru businessman accused of killing two individuals and attempting to kill two others in a suspected love triangle, has encountered another delay due to his erratic behavior in court.
Dube, who allegedly shot the victims in April 2021, had previously been declared fit to stand trial following a mental health assessment in September 2024.
However, his recent conduct has raised concerns about his mental stability.
Erratic Behavior in Court
During the latest proceedings at the Bulawayo High Court, Dube exhibited signs of mental instability, including fidgeting, talking and laughing to himself, and reportedly drinking water from the toilets. This prompted Justice Munamato Mutevedzi to order a fresh mental health evaluation to determine whether Dube is fit to stand trial and if he was mentally challenged at the time of the alleged offenses.
Background of the Case
Dube faces double murder charges and two counts of attempted murder stemming from an incident on April 22, 2021.
The violent altercation was reportedly triggered by allegations of infidelity involving Dube’s second wife, Nyasha Nharingo. Dube accused one of the victims, Shelton Chiduku, of having an affair with Nyasha and blamed another victim, Gamuchirai Mudungwe, for facilitating the alleged affair.
The situation escalated when Dube locked himself inside his home with children and a house helper, refusing to let Nyasha and her sister, Nyaradzo Nharingo, enter. After allowing them in, Dube demanded they leave, and during the ensuing chaos, he fatally shot Chiduku and Mudungwe while attempting to shoot Nyasha and Nyaradzo, who survived.
Fugitive Status and Arrest
Following the shootings, Dube fled Zimbabwe, reportedly crossing into South Africa and later settling in Eswatini under a new identity. His evasion of justice ended in 2023 when he was arrested in Dublin for immigration violations. Despite claiming to be Mozambican, authorities confirmed his Zimbabwean nationality, leading to his extradition back to Zimbabwe.
The Court will await the results of Dube’s latest psychiatric evaluation to determine the next steps in his trial.
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