Murder probe as mum is found dying in street
Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was attacked on Saturday afternoon as she walked on South Road in Dundee.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 4.25pm but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that following a post-mortem examination, the incident is being treated as murder and that a 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with Dr Gomo's death.
A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and he is due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court today.
Dr Gomo, who is believed to have had a ten-year-old daughter, had moved from Zimbabwe to Scotland to complete a PhD at the University of Dundee.
An expert in water conservation, Dr Gomo led initiatives to improve water and food security in both Scotland and sub-Saharan Africa, and was hailed as a 'rising star' in her field.
The mother's death has been condemned as 'truly shocking' by her friends and colleagues both in Scotland and in Africa.
Angela Machonesa, who studied with Dr Gomo in Zimbabwe, wrote: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise.
'A community, ours, will ache for a friend, a sister, a schoolmate, who inspired us all. Her future was not just her own, it belonged to all of us who saw the power of what an African girl can become when given a chance and when fuelled by brilliance.'
A spokesman for the University of Dundee added: 'This has been a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community.
'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time as a PhD student and postdoctoral research assistant in geography, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students.
'Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.'
Members of Dundee's Zimbabwean community gathered in the city yesterday afternoon to pay their respects to Dr Gomo and demand action on spiralling crime across the country.
Choking back tears, one resident told crowds: 'Why should we live in fear? Why should our kids live in fear? We demand peace.'
Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer leading the inquiry, said: 'Firstly, my thoughts remain with Fortune's family at this incredibly sad time. They are being supported by specialist officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected.
'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry. I am also acutely aware of content circulating on social media and would urge the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident. The public will notice a visibly increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to speak with our officers.'
DS Sharp said it had been a 'distressing incident for those who witnessed and attended the incident' and appealed for anyone who can assist officers to contact Police Scotland on 101 or to call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.
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