22-year-old man fatally stabbed in Shurugwi bar dispute

Midlands Bureau

A 22-year-old Shurugwi artisanal miner was fatally stabbed with an okapi knife following a misunderstanding with a fellow miner in the mining town.

Midlands Provincial police spokesman Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a case of murder in which a 22-year-old man died after being stabbed with an okapi knife on May 17 at Chikato Business Centre in Shurugwi,” he said.

Tatenda Clodious Mazivazvose (29) of Mashiri Village, Shurugwi, has since been arrested over the issue.

“It is alleged that on the day in question at around 6 pm, the now deceased, Moses Pandehuni of Pandehuni Village was drinking beer at Chikato Business Centre with colleagues, including his brother Muchengeti,” he said.

Inspector Mahoko said the deceased and Mazivazvose had an altercation over previous issues.

Pandehuni went outside the bar and Mazivazvose followed him while holding an okapi knife.

“Muchengeti intervened and attempted to resolve the dispute. Mazivazvose pretended as if the matter had been resolved and Muchengeti went back into the bar, leaving the suspect and the deceased outside,” he said.

A few minutes later, Muchengeti saw his brother falling to the ground. He rushed outside to see what had happened.

“Muchengeti found his brother on the ground, bleeding profusely. Within a few minutes, Moses passed away,” he said.

Police attended the scene and managed to track down and arrest Mazivazvose.

The suspect is expected to appear in court facing murder charges.

“We urge members of the public to desist from resorting to violence to avoid unnecessary loss of life,” he said.