Chipinge grapples with murder cases

 

Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter

IN the southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, Chipinge District, has long been known for its lush estate plantations, rolling hills and warm hospitality.

 

However, beneath its tranquil surface, a disturbing trend has emerged – a surge in murder cases that has left communities reeling, and authorities scrambling for answers.

This year started on a very bad note as the district witnessed some gruesome murder cases being recorded.

As the murder cases continue to rise, locals are now living in fear.

 

What is also worrisome are the reasons behind the heinous crime, most of which are very trivial.

Some murder cases are being attributed to mental health challenges and taking the law into individuals’ own hands by assaulting suspects.

 

In a gruesome murder case in January this year, Felix Maphosa (29) allegedly killed his wife, Elizabeth Mlambo (46), by hammering a three-inch nail into her chest following a domestic dispute.

Maphosa was accusing Mlambo of lying that she was pregnant, yet she was taking contraceptives behind his back

Fungai Mudhluri (42) was recently fatally attacked by at mattock wooden handle by his neighbour following a boundary dispute.

The two had a long standing boundary dispute among them.

In another spine chilling case, a father, Tawanda Magoso (32), allegedly fatally struck his biological son, Tawonga (11) in an axe in an unprovoked attack.

 

Tawanda’s father, Mr Enock Magoso (70) had to run away for dear life after the accused person charged towards him moments after murdering his own son.

 

According to Tawanda’s relative, he is allegedly mentally charged, but he is not on any medication.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said police are round the clock to curb crime, including murder cases by holding awareness campaigns on the need to value the sanctity of human life.

“Police is always on the ground concertising people on the need to maintain law and order across the province. We carry out a number of campaigns regularly in all districts. In Chipinge Police District which also encompass Chimanimani, in January and February this year, we have recorded five murder cases and a number of attempted murder cases.

“We have noted with concern that some of the murder cases are caused by very flimsy reasons such as failure to handle disagreements. What is worrisome are murder cases being committed by alleged mentally challenged people, and we urge guardians to always check the movements and activities of such people. They must make sure that they are adhering to their medication and are always monitored. All suspected mental patient must be taken to hospitals where there are examined and put on treatment.

“People must not take the law into their own hands whenever they feel aggrieved. They also urged to always practice self-restrain. People must control their emotions and avoid altercations as this may lead to serious repercussions,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

Chief Garahwa, Mr Tobias Hliziyo said traditional leaders are doing their best to encourage communities and their subjects to live in peace and harmony as well as avoiding the spilling of blood which brings bad omens to their families.

 

He added that very few people disrespect traditional leadership and refuse to abide by their rulings, and rush to seek peace orders at the magistrates’ courts, avoiding dialogue with their nemesis.

“We are trying our best as traditional leaders to make sure that our people are living cordially, respecting each other. Whenever people have disputes, we encourage them to approach traditional courts for recourse and counselling. We do not encourage warring people to fight as this may lead to murder cases.

“There are some few villagers who opt to go to the magistrates’ court to seek peace orders as a way of avoiding dialogue platform provided by traditional leaders. A peace order may bring temporary peace, but does not resolve the problem, hence we see people attacking each other despite the peace order.

“People must respect each other and ultimately there will be no unnecessary loss of lives. Murder cases bring bad omen to the family of the murderer. It also creates orphans and makes permanent animosity among communities,” said Chief Garahwa.

Mr Claris Madhuku a community leader in Chipinge said the rising cases of murder are attributed to the influence of Mozambican and South African lifestyles, Gender-Based Violence and crimes such as armed robbery.

He further said the communities are ceased on how to reduce such serious crimes in their midst.

 

“There is an effect of our brothers and sisters who are based in Mozambique and South Africa who are importing new survival skills which are alien to our communities. They are coming back here to commit crimes such as armed robbery, and in the process killing their victims. Our cultures here value human life, fears murder and believes in avenging spirit, but this may not exist in some societies where some of our people frequent.

“Our social values are on the decline as some people are no longer afraid of killing fellow human beings. There are also murders associated with Gender-Based Violence. Our social fabric has been shaken as people are now selfish and self-centered. There is need to improve the way disputes are handled in marriages, families and the communities.

‘‘All stakeholders must come on board and work to combat these rising cases,” said Mr Madhuku.
While efforts of the police, traditional and community leaders are a step in the right direction, communities in Chipinge District are aware that reversing the trend of violence will take time, effort and collective commitment to rebuilding their community.