Online Reporter
A dispute over beer sharing at a nightclub in Chipinge turned fatal when a 25-year-old woman, Patricia Sithole, was brutally attacked and later died of the injuries she sustained.
The suspect, Wilton Dube (35), has been arrested and charged with murder.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the incident occurred on August 7, 2025 at Mabidoo Night Club.
Sithole was offered a beer by a patron, but Dube claimed the drink was his and refused to share it, which led to a heated argument.
The tiff escalated when Dube allegedly slapped Sithole, dragged her into a corner before kicking and pushing her.
Sithole bit off part of her attacker’s left ear before escaping.
Dube, however, reportedly chased after her, dragged her back to the veranda and continued the assault.
He went on to break a window and used a shard of glass to stab the victim in the stomach.
He also hit Dube on the head with an empty bottle.
Other patrons intervened and restrained Dube, while Sithole was rushed to St Peter’s Mission Hospital.
She was subsequently transferred to Victoria Chitepo Hospital but died later the same day.
Dube has been remanded in custody until August 28, 2025. — Manicaland Bureau
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Kariba man jailed for theft at hostel
A 25-year-old man from Kariba, Bethe Matsa, has been sentenced to an effective 18 months in prison for theft at the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s student hostel in Bulawayo.
Bethe appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube, who sentenced him to 24 months in jail, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The State successfully proved that Bethe committed the offences on July 25.
He first targeted Room 58 at the Rofac Hostel, where he entered through the ceiling.
He stole two laptops (HP and Acer) — valued at US$470 — from a resident by the name of Malvern Matsa.
On the same day, Matsa struck again by crawling into Room 60, where he stole a cooler bag, a chargeable light, a black jacket and a pack of noodles (valued at US$39) from a student, Boikuto Myo.
He was caught while trying to escape.
All the items stolen in the two instances were recovered. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Son terrorises family with knife
A 24-year-old man from Plumtree, Nsukukazifani Luphahla, has been arrested for terrorising his family with an Okapi knife.
He appeared before magistrate Joshua Nembaware and was remanded in custody for trial at a later date.
Prosecutor Mr Vorster Makuwerere told the court that Luphahla’s violent actions began on July 20 at the Nyabane Business Centre.
He confronted his brother, Nhlakanipho, over donkeys that their father had taken.
The argument escalated and Nsukukazifani reportedly stabbed his brother in the left palm with an Okapi knife.
The next day, he allegedly attacked his cousin, Emmanuel, who had just received payment for digging a foundation for a shop.
Nsukukazifani is accused of grabbing his cousin by the collar, threatening him with the knife and stealing 1 200 rand before fleeing.
The money was never recovered. — B-Metro
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Girlfriend axed for questioning partner’s cheating
A Bulawayo man, Makanika Mwembe (41), has been fined US$200 for attacking his girlfriend with an axe after she confronted him about suspected infidelity.
Mwembe, from Highmount suburb, appeared before Tredgold magistrate Maxwell Ncube on assault charges.
Prosecutor Mehluli Ndlovu told the court that the attack occurred around 8pm on November 30, 2024 at Mwembe’s home.
The victim, Masikati, reportedly confronted Mwembe, accusing him of cheating.
In response, Mwembe grabbed an axe and struck her once on the right side of the head using the blunt end.
He then used a leather waist belt with a metal clip to repeatedly lash her face, shoulders and chest.
The vicious attack left Masikati bruised and bleeding.
Police later recovered the axe and belt, which were presented in court as evidence.
Neighbours reported hearing shouting and cries for help before police arrived.
The incident has left the community stunned. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Hubby allegedly murders wife with knobkerrie
After allegedly murdering his wife with a knobkerrie during a domestic dispute, Edward Moyo from Midlands province is currently on the run.
The tragic incident occurred on a Friday in Magodi Village, Silobela, under Chief Malisa’s jurisdiction.
According to Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, Moyo had a heated argument with his wife before fatally assaulting her.
It is believed the argument began at the couple’s home around 6pm.
Witnesses told the police that Moyo grabbed a knobkerrie and violently beat his wife until she died.
After realising that she was dead, the accused reportedly fled, leaving the victim in a pool of blood.
Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to Moyo’s arrest.
The community remains shocked by the brutal act. Anyone with information is urged to immediately contact the nearest police station. — Midlands Bureau
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Dirty cop busted
Forty-nine-year-old police officer Shepherd Vutete is facing corruption charges after he allegedly received a bribe to release two armed robbery suspects.
Vutete, who was stationed at the Nkulumane Police Station, has been accused of undermining the law he was sworn to uphold.
He appeared before magistrate Archie Wochiwunga.
It is the State’s case that on April 26, 2025, around 11.15pm, a robbery victim, Ronnie Chinembiri, reported a case at the Nkulumane Police Station.
A police crack team quickly responded and arrested three suspects — Talent Sibanda, John Dube and Eugene. It also seized their getaway car — a blue Honda Fit.
The suspects and the car were handed over to Vutete, with clear instructions to detain all the three and keep the vehicle as an exhibit.
However, at 4am, Vutete allegedly released Dube and Eugene, detaining only Sibanda.
He reportedly told the released suspects to return with US$30 to get their car back. An hour later, they returned with the car’s owner, Excellency Khabo Mkandla, who negotiated the bribe down.
Vutete allegedly accepted US$25 and 100 rand, and promptly released the vehicle.
CID Homicide officers returned at 9am to follow up on the case, only to find the suspects and the car missing. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Man caged for bludgeoning co-tenant with a hammer
A 33-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to two years in prison for attacking his co-tenant with a hammer.
Mbongeni Ndlovu of Pumula East denied the charge of attempted murder but was convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere.
Moyo will serve an effective 14 months after 10 months were suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
The court heard that the attack occurred in Pumula East around 9pm.
The complainant, Lucky Moyo (28), was at home with his wife when Ndlovu, who was drunk, accused him of being disrespectful.
Ndlovu left briefly, then returned with a hammer and struck Moyo several times on the head.
The victim fell to the ground, sustaining cuts and a swollen left eye.
He was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment. A police report was made, leading to Ndlovu’s arrest. — Bulawayo Bureau
