Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IN just one week, two Mutare male rugby players were involved in separate nasty fights over suspected sexual affairs with attached female partners, leaving one dead, while the other suffered a life-threatening head injury.
Police confirmed both incidents, and encouraged irate lovers to solve their disputes amicably without resorting to violence.
In the first incident, a known city dealer, Emmanuel Chidawanyika allegedly, visited his former wife, identified as Beauty, and found her with Mutare Sports Club rugby wing, Jasper Dedza.
A misunderstanding arose involving issues related to infidelity.
Chidawanyika allegedly attacked Dedza with a beer bottle several times on the lower and upper left arm, leaving the latter seriously injured.
The case was reported at Mutare Central Police Station.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said: “We are handling a case in which Jasper Dedza was attacked with a beer bottle by Emmanuel Chidawanyika.
“Dedza suffered serious injuries and was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment. The assailant was on the run since the incident.
“However, on Monday, police officers in Mutare picked up information that the accused had left for South Africa. He was a passenger in a bus that was intercepted at a roadblock. He was arrested and detained at ZRP Masvingo Central. The process to bring him back to Mutare to face trial is underway.”
In a separate, yet similar scenario, an Old Crestonian centre, Challen Nyasha Chikore, breathed his last after being stabbed following a brawl over a girlfriend.
Although police did not confirm the source of the brawl, sources close to what transpired on the fateful night said the scuffle ensued when Chikore and the assailant argued over a woman.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said: “On November 1, at around 2am, Israel Makunga was at Donny Bush House, Penhalonga, when he had an altercation with Challen after the now deceased had knocked his glass of beer.
“They pushed each other from the Bush House stage to the ground. Challen left the Bush House and went to his residence, where he told his friend, Chiko and his brother, Alban Tinomukudzaishe Chikore (23), residing at Manager’s Hill, Penhalonga, that he was assaulted by Makunga.
“Challen got out of the house and returned to Donny Bush House. He went to where Makunga was, and attacked him with a button stick. Makunga fought back, produced an Okapi knife, and stabbed Challen once on the chest and on the back.
“Challen ran away for about 20 metres and fell down. Alban, who witnessed the scuffle, approached Makunga from behind, and was overpowered. He kicked Makunga once on the right arm, and the Okapi knife fell to the ground.
“He then managed to grab Makunga, and tied his hands with a drawstring. He also tied Makunga’s legs with a string and secured the knife. He escorted Makunga to ZRP Penhalonga, where he was detained.
“Tarisai Sakupwanya rushed Challen to Penhalonga Medical Centre for treatment using his vehicle. Challen was pronounced dead upon arrival by Doctor David Muchirewese.
“A report was made at ZRP Penhalonga, who attended the scene. Challen’s body was inspected, and had one deep cut on the left side of the chest and another deep cut on the back.
“His body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.”
