‘Gun salute’ at funeral

fired gun shots into the air as a way of saluting his sibling.
It has since been established that the pistol used for the “gun salute” was unlicenced.
Innocent Mutikwa of Mabhodhi Village under Chief Chivi allegedly stunned mourners at his late brother Felix Mutikwa (24)’s funeral wake after he fired live rounds into the air.
Some villagers close to the matter said Innocent said his brother was supposed to die by the gun.
Felix had allegedly died after falling off a moving vehicle on his way home to Mabhondi Village late last week.
Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Tineyi Matake, yesterday said Innocent had since been arrested for possessing an unlicensed firearm and discharging a firearm at a public place without permission.
“We have since arrested the suspect and investigations are still continuing but we are going to charge him with possession of an unlicenced firearm and discharging a firearm at a public place without permission,” said Insp Mata- ke.
It is alleged that on the day in question, Innocent was part of a group of mourners who were attending his brother’s funeral at their homestead.
The suspect allegedly pulled out a pistol at the funeral and started to fire live rounds into the air as a way of honouring his late brother with a “gun salute.”
This forced other stunned mourners and relatives to scamper for cover in fear of being shot.
Innocent allegedly then told other mourners that his brother only deserved to die by a bullet not in a car accident hence the move to accord him a “gun salute.”
Some of the mourners then went and made a report at Chivi Police Station, leading to Innocent’s arrest.