HARARE - A Mt Darwin gold panner was stabbed to death after a dispute over a girlfriend  turned nasty, a High Court judge has heard.

Phillip Chitema lost his life after being stabbed with a seven centimetre long knife following a misunderstanding with Shakemore Mahachi over a girl only identified in court as Brenda.

Mahachi is now before Justice Felistas Chatukuta, facing murder charges.

According to State papers, the incident took place in May 2011 in Madziva, Mt Darwin.
 
Chitema was allegedly murdered while he was on his way home from the shops where he had gone to have some beer during the night.

Chitema allegedly confronted Mahachi over the issue of Brenda and a misunderstanding ensued, resulting in a fight between the two.

Mahachi allegedly produced a knife and stabbed Chitema three times on the back.

In court Mahachi, however, denied the allegations and said that he was acting in self-defence, arguing Chitema was the first to attack him with a log.

Prosecutor Public Mpofu yesterday urged the court to find Mahachi guilty of murder with constructive intend.

But Mahachi said the State failed to lead evidence that could sustain a murder charge.

Justice Chatukuta yesterday reserved judgement in the case. - Tendai Kamhungira