Moffat Mungazi
Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
MASOMERA Village, under Chief Chitsunge, in Buhera, was plunged into mourning after an 80-year-old grandfather – Tanonezvi Mungwari – was brutally stoned to death on a footpath while returning home from a funeral.
The tragic event occurred on May 12 around 8pm.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, and named the alleged perpetrator as Munyaradzi Mandayaya (19).
Mandayaya attacked the octogenarian while he was walking home after attending the funeral of Cde Eneta Magwazi, a district liberation heroine from Rambanepasi Village.
The attack was unprovoked.
“The now late Mungwari was seen walking on a footpath in the dark by Mandayaya, who threw a stone that hit him on the left cheek. Mandayaya ran to Artwell Mabvura’s homestead. The two later returned and found Mungwari’s body lying on the ground. Instead of informing Mungwari’s wife or the police, they allegedly collaborated, and dumped the body in a bush near Mabvura’s homestead,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
It is alleged that on May 14, at around 10am, Ms Matinetsa Muzumbare (60), the deceased’s wife, went to fetch water at a communal water point near Mabvura’s homestead Upon encountering Mabvura, he inquired if she had seen her husband.
Mabvura led her to the location where Mungwari’s body was.
The body was already showing early signs of decomposition.
“Muzumbare saw her husband’s body with bloodstains on the mouth and cheek, and assumed that he had fallen with his head and later died from the cold. The matter was reported to ZRP Dorowa, who attended the scene, and noticed bruises and blood on the body. The police officers conducted investigations and discovered that Mabvura was hiding information about the main cause of Mungwari’s death,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said unsatisfied, the investigating team revisited the scene later on that day, and interrogated Mabvura, who implicated Mandayaya, who then explained what had happened.
The two were immediately arrested.
“We urge the public to report any information related to such crimes, and issue a strong warning against those protecting or covering up for perpetrators, as this is a serious offence that will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said Mungwari`s body was taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital for post-mortem.
Online Reporter