Story by Peter Chivhima
Once a well-known car dealer in Gweru, Peter Dube now finds himself at the centre of a harrowing murder trial, accused of gunning down two people in a suspected love triangle that shocked the nation in 2021.
The victims include Shelton Chiduku, the alleged lover of Dube’s second wife, and her best friend, Gamuchirai Mudungwe.
His wife, Nyasha Nharingo, and her sister Nyaradzo survived the attack but were left traumatised by the incident.
The case, which tore apart two families, has gripped the public for over three years as justice was repeatedly delayed.
The long-awaited trial finally commenced in Bulawayo this week, following numerous setbacks that had previously stalled proceedings.
The delays included concerns over Dube’s mental state after he initially claimed mental instability when the matter was scheduled to begin at the Gweru High Court Circuit last year.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Dube was re-examined by a second medical doctor in Bulawayo, who confirmed he was mentally fit to stand trial, contradicting an earlier report by a Gweru-based doctor.
Another major setback in the case was the absence of a key witness.
Dube faces double murder charges and two counts of attempted murder, stemming from an April 2021 incident.
According to court documents, the violent episode was triggered by allegations of infidelity.
Dube reportedly accused one of the victims, Chiduku, of having an affair with his second wife, Nharingo, and blamed another victim, Mudungwe, for enabling the alleged affair.
After the incident, Dube fled to Namibia, Ireland, and later Mozambique before he was arrested and deported to Zimbabwe for trial.
