Online Reporter
CALLOUS armed robbers attacked a Bulawayo man outside his home, chopped off his finger with a machete and fled in his vehicle after stealing cash.
The incident occurred on July 17, around 9pm. The 45-year-old man had arrived at his Cowdray Park home driving his grey Honda Fit, accompanied by his son. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the man’s son had just stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate when a group of armed men emerged from the darkness. The son raised the alarm after noticing the suspects, prompting his father to get out of the vehicle. “The complainant’s son shouted ‘thieves’, and the complainant disembarked from his vehicle.
The accused persons indiscriminately assaulted the complainant with open hands, a log and a machete, resulting in his middle finger being chopped off,” said Insp Msebele. The robbers demanded money, and the victim handed over his wallet containing US$130 As the attack unfolded outside, the man’s wife, who was inside the house, heard the commotion. She immediately locked the doors and blew a whistle to alert neighbours. The suspects reportedly jumped into the victim’s vehicle and sped off. Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in identifying the suspects to report to the nearest police station. Criminals are increasingly targeting residents as they arrive home or prepare to enter their properties. Insp Msebele urged residents to remain vigilant, especially when arriving home at night, and to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Rusape community shaken after teacher found dead with
crushed head
Residents of Magamba suburb in Rusape have been left in shock and fear after a Mavhudzi High School teacher was recently found dead with a crushed head.
The victim, Norman Guri, was discovered in a pool of blood, with his head crushed by several large stones, which were found beside him.
Police have since launched investigations to bring the culprits to justice.
Rusape Town Council Ward 4 representative and council chairperson Lovemore Chifomboti said the gruesome death of Guri had left residents terrified, with many now avoiding walking around at night.
“I was among the first people to arrive at the scene. His head was crushed by large rocks. There was blood spatter all over. He died a few metres from his house. It was a sad and disturbing scene because Guri was a good person. He was a teacher who had a thriving horticulture project at his house. Following his brutal murder, residents of Magamba are now living in fear,” said Cllr Chifomboti.
The deceased’s sister, Annah Guri, expressed the family’s devastation following the callous murder.
“We are failing to come to terms with our brother’s death. How could they do such a thing to him? They could have just robbed him and spared his life. I have never seen a person die in such gruesome circumstances. We hope the police will bring the culprits to book and bring closure to this case,” she said.
Guri’s body was expected to be transported to Harare for postmortem to determine the exact cause of death. — Manicaland Bureau
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Elderly Dorowa man trapped and killed
by veld fire
An 84-year-old man from Dorowa lost his life after becoming trapped in a veld fire he had allegedly lit to clear dry grass around his homestead. Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, which occurred on July 21 in Mupariri village, under Chief Nyashanu.
“Police are investigating a fatal veld fire incident which killed Fibion Munjoma (84), of Mupariri village, under Chief Nyashanu, Dorowa. He was trapped in a fire he had allegedly started while clearing dry grass around his homestead,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka. Preliminary investigations indicate that Munjoma had set fire to dry vegetation near his cattle pen. “It is alleged that he started a fire near his cattle pen to clear dry grass around his homestead. While the fire was burning, strong winds suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to spread rapidly towards him,” he said.
The elderly man tried to flee but to no avail. The tragic incident was later discovered by a fellow villager, who alerted the authorities.
“The body of the deceased was later discovered by Bodmas Mhurira (61), a fellow villager, who promptly reported the matter to ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) Dorowa. Police attended the scene and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are underway,” added Asst Insp Chinyoka. — Manicaland Bureau
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Bulawayo man arrested for transporting stolen cow carcass in Honda Fit
A man has been arrested in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb after being caught transporting the carcass of a stolen cow in a Honda Fit.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the police recently received a tip-off that a Honda Fit had entered a yard in Nkulumane carrying goods believed to have been stolen.
Following the arrest, officers returned to the suspect’s residence, where they discovered a black plastic bag near the front door containing two cattle heads and a carcass.
Preliminary police investigations also revealed that the registration plates displayed on the Honda Fit actually belonged to a different vehicle, a white Mazda Atenza. Insp Msebele commended the public for providing the timely information that led to the arrest.
“We would like to appreciate members of the public for being vigilant and continuously working closely with the police by reporting suspicious activities, which is yielding results,” she said. — Bulawayo Bureau
19-year-old woman jailed for abandoning one-month-old baby
A woman aged 19 has been arrested and sentenced to six months in prison for abandoning her one-month-old baby along Bahunia Street in Mbizo, Kwekwe The incident came to light after a passer-by discovered the infant and reported the matter to the Kwekwe Central Police Station. The baby was subsequently taken to Kwekwe General Hospital for medical attention before being placed under the care of the Department of Social Development. Police investigations, coupled with medical examinations, led to the identification of the child’s mother, who had reportedly gone into hiding after stealing money from her sister. On July 12, 2026, the police — assisted by the woman’s sister — arrested her in Manyanganya village, under Chief Chirenya, in Gokwe. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have strongly warned communities against abandoning children, urging the public to report cases of child neglect to ensure infants are protected and placed in safe environments. The authorities emphasised that every child deserves care and protection, and warned that cases involving abandoning and neglecting children will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law. — Midlands Bureau
