Staff reporter

Gweru fugitive Peter Dube, who had been on the run since 2021 after allegedly gunning down two people in a violent domestic incident, has finally faced trial, was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder by the High Court, and is to be sentenced on the 26th of November 2025.

The trial took a dramatic turn as Dube attempted to plead mental instability, claiming he was not of sound mind during the shooting.

According to court documents, the incident leading to Dube’s arrest unfolded late one night after a heated argument within his household.

Reports indicate that Dube was incensed by the actions of his second wife, Nyasha, and her sister, Nyaradzo, who had sought additional help from friends during a family trip, which he perceived as an affront to his authority.

The confrontation escalated dramatically when Dube allegedly armed himself and confronted his wife and her sister upon their return home.

Justice Munamato Mutevedzi dismissed Dube’s bid to evade liability through a mental disorder defence, ruling that the killer acted with full intent when he gunned down Chiduku and Mudungwe and left the Nharingo sisters for dead in a violent domestic dispute.

Justice Mutevedzi said the court was satisfied that Dube was not afflicted by any mental disorder that could have prevented him from appreciating the nature of his actions when he opened fire.

He noted that Dube failed to present any credible evidence of prior mental illness.
“The accused knew what he was doing.

He took time to arm himself, confront the victims, and shoot with precision. His attempt to feign mental illness is a clear abuse of the court’s process.”

The trial marks a critical moment in Gweru, as the community grapples with the implications of domestic violence and mental health issues.

The case has attracted considerable media attention, raising awareness about the complexities of such incidents within families.

The conviction of Peter Dube marks the end of a dark chapter that shook Gweru and the nation at large, sending a strong message that justice will prevail, no matter how long it takes.

As the court prepares to sentence him on the 26th of November, the ruling serves as both a deterrent to gender-based violence and a reminder that attempts to evade justice through deceit will not stand in Zimbabwe’s legal system.