Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A CHIMANIMANI police officer has been charged with murder following a violent incident in which he fatally injured a suspect while attempting to shave his beard with a knife.
Bhekimpilo Ncube (34), of ZRP Chimanimani who was deployed at ZRP Chikukwa Base, recently appeared before Chimanimani magistrate, Mr Regis Mawarire, facing murder charges, and was instructed to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecutor, Mr Endurance Dholobha, said on February 25, at around 8pm, Ncube received a report of an alleged Domestic Violence Act (DVA) offence committed by Goodman Matimba (35), who had reportedly assaulted his wife, Ms Lorraine Chikwerengwa.
The next day, Ncube deployed police officers to arrest Matimba.
The court heard that police officers managed to arrest Matimba, and brought him to Ncube, who was drinking beer at Matsekete General Dealer Shop, Chikukwa Business Centre in Chimanimani.
Apparently, the deceased was a known criminal with a history of violence.
Mr Dholobha said Ncube confronted the now late Matimba, who was in handcuffs, describing his behaviour as a nuisance in his area of policing.
Ncube allegedly told Matimba that he wanted to shave his long beard.
Ncube proceeded into the shop where he requested for a knife from the cashier, Ms Unity Matsekete, and was given one.
The court heard that Ncube returned to the deceased, grabbed his beard, and sliced his chin and cheek.
Matimba sustained a deep cut and bled profusely.
Ncube realised the severity of the situation, and rushed Matimba to Chikukwa Clinic, accompanied by other police officers.
At the clinic, a nurse, Ms Pamela Manyika attended to Matimba, but stated that she could not suture the deep cut due to his violent nature and intoxication.
She referred him to Chimanimani Hospital, and subsequently to Mutambara Mission Hospital, where he was admitted.
On February 27, at around 8am, Matimba succumbed to the injuries.
Ncube surrendered himself to the police, and was arrested.
Investigations revealed that the scene, located at Chikukwa Business Centre, showed traces of blood leading to Chikukwa Rural Health Centre.
The murder weapon was not located, and there is no record of an official report against the deceased.
Meanwhile, an unidentified man, believed to be in his early 40s, died at a Masowe shrine in Machongwe area, Chimanimani Ward 14, where he had gone to seek spiritual deliverance.
The man, dressed in a white garment, was discovered dead on Monday morning near Machongwe Business Centre.
Locals said members of the apostolic sect operating the shrine allegedly abandoned him after his condition deteriorated.
His body was later discovered by a passer-by.
Confirming the incident, Ward 14 councillor, Councillor Johane Ndiamba, said police have since taken some sect members in for questioning.
“The man is believed to be in his early 40s. He died at a Masowe shrine in Machongwe area where he had gone to seek spiritual deliverance. The man, who was dressed in a white garment, was discovered dead on Monday morning near Machongwe Business Centre. Police took the body and we understand investigations are in progress,” said Councillor Ndiamba.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka referred all questions to national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who was unreachable at the time of going to print.
