For the city of Gweru, where traffic is constantly slowed by numerous roundabouts and where life is generally in a rush, the specter of police officers brandishing assault rifles, riding horses and ferocious dogs rampaging through the Central Business District (CBD) station is a rare sight.
On a normal day, the police station, located in the central business district, is an ordinary single-storey building frequented by uniformed men and women.
But on Thursday, as a rumor spread that Peter Dube had been arrested, after three years on the run, after two people were killed and two others injured, the heavy police presence sent shivers down the spine of many who wanted to catch a glimpse of him.
Known by many Gweru residents as a car dealer and independent businessman, Dube was escorted to court in leg shackles and handcuffs, showing all that he would be tamed or eventually exterminated by the law.
The atmosphere was tense in court as Dubey was escorted under heavy police guard.
Ordinary residents, relatives of the deceased allegedly shot dead by Dube, his kin, and journalists are all clamoring to catch a glimpse of the suspected killer who is at the top of the most wanted list.
At exactly two o’clock in the afternoon, Peter was in the dock waiting for the public prosecutor to bring charges against him.
Gweru District Judge, Ms Beauty Dube, took no time to hear Peter’s case before a packed court as she charged him with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until April 17.
The accused was advised to apply for bail before the Supreme Court.
More details about Dube’s escape emerged yesterday.
He is said to be of Mozambique origin, but his parents moved to Zimbabwe, leaving behind their extended family there.
After committing the offense in April 2021, Peter reportedly drove to Beitbridge where he left the car and crossed on foot.
He spent three days in South Africa before heading to Eswatini and then Mozambique, where he is originally from.
Therefore, after the shooting, he is believed to have fled to Mozambique via Mvuma, Chinho, Murambinda, Nyazora and Rusape.
In Mozambique, the family of origin took care of him and arranged documents for him under the name Armando Quinete Muchanga.
Using the new name, he allegedly went to South Africa where he met some of his close family members and gave them money for his first wife and child support.
“When Peter committed the crime in April 2021, he went to Mutare and crossed into Mozambique on foot where he stayed with relatives. “He’s originally from that country, but now he’s Zimbabwe,” a source said.
It then emerged that he had become uncomfortable with the number of Zimbabweans in southern Africa, some of whom he felt would easily recognize him and moved to the mountainous kingdom of Eswatini.
From there he moved to Ireland, where he broke the law before being deported to Mozambique. It is understood that in Ireland he used three identities, including a Zimbabwean one, when it suited him.
Mrs. Agnes Chidoko, whose son was allegedly shot dead by Dube, was seen crying outside the court because it was the first time in her life, she had met the suspect responsible for the death of her only son, Shelton Chidoko.
“I’m still sad. When I saw this man (Peter), it felt like the tragic accident happened yesterday when it actually happened several years ago.
Thank God the long arm of the law has finally caught this man. I’m still in pain,” she cried.
On the other hand, Advance, Dobby’s younger brother, can be seen discussing with some relatives.
Advance, who spoke on behalf of the family when the tragic accident occurred in 2021, declined to comment yesterday.
The State’s case is that on 22 April 2021, at approximately 11am, Chiduku, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo allegedly went to Masvingo to collect the latter’s passport.
The court heard that Peter Dube, who married Nyasha as his second wife, knew that the four had gone to Masvingo without his knowledge and that did not sit well with him as he suspected infidelity between his wife and Chiduku.
At about 8pm on the same day, Dube allegedly armed himself with a Zastara pistol and went to No. 11, Bensam Flats, Main Street, Gweru where Nyasha resided.
Since Dube suspected Nyasha of having an affair with Chidoko, an altercation broke out which prompted him to go downstairs and shoot Chidoko who was sitting on the driver’s seat of a Toyota Hiace once on his front left shoulder. He died instantly.
The court heard that Mudungwe, who was downstairs with Chiduku, tried to climb the stairs before Dube shot her once in the left cheek near the nose. She collapsed and died instantly.
Dube went upstairs to No. 11 of Bensam Apartments where Nyasha and Nyaradzo were.
The court heard that Dube shot Nyasha once in the right cheek and the bullet entered the left side of her neck, knocking out her right molar and landing on the top side of her shoulder.
After shooting Nyasha, Peter allegedly turned on Neradzo before shooting her once above her left ear and the bullet popped out and tore out her right eye.
Nyasha and Nyaradzo were lucky to be alive as they were taken to Gweru District Hospital where surgeons successfully operated on them.
After the incident, Dube allegedly fled to Mozambique, South Africa, before moving to Eswatini, where he changed his identity.
Dube then traveled to Ireland, where he was arrested in Dublin last year for violating the country’s immigration laws.
Peter was allegedly using a false identity and when he was arrested in Dublin, refused extradition to Zimbabwe, claiming to be a Mozambican national called Armando Quinete Muchanga.
He was then deported to Mozambique and the authorities there proved that he was indeed Zimbabwean.
They deported him to the country. Announce
