Online Reporter
A 43-year-old man from Nkulumane, Bulawayo, brutally axed his wife to death and severely assaulted his three children after they refused to help him fabricate a robbery to cover up the crime.
Ackim Bongani Dube allegedly left the axe embedded in his wife Memory Makathini’s head before calling his children, aged one, 12 and 15 years, into the room to view her body.
The horrific attack, which occurred around 1am on July 24, has sent shockwaves throughout the Nkulumane community.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that Dube had been arrested and faces a murder charge, while investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the killing.
A spokesperson for the Makathini family said they were trying to come to terms with what had happened.
The spokesperson further said the family was holding discussions to decide the way forward and that all they were asking for was justice and peace of mind. According to sources close to the investigation, a co-tenant was woken by loud shouting as Dube argued with his children, repeatedly yelling that he was already done with their mother. The couple’s 15-year-old son was asleep with his 12-year-old sibling when he heard his father shouting from the parents’ bedroom while carrying their one-year-old brother.
Dube ordered the two older boys into the room and when they switched on the lights, they made the horrifying discovery of their mother lying lifeless on the floor with an axe stuck in her head.
Rather than allowing the children to seek help, Dube turned his violence towards them and assaulted the terrified boys.
In an attempt to frame the murder as a robbery, Dube dragged his eldest son outside and ordered him to smash the house’s windowpanes and security screen door with a brick.
When the boy refused, Dube threatened and assaulted him with an iron bar.
He then proceeded to the co-tenant’s room and attempted to force his way in, which prompted the frightened neighbour to alert the police. Officers responded swiftly and arrested Dube before further harm could be done.
The injured children were admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital and Memory Makathini’s body was transported for a post-mortem as investigations continued.
Inspector Msebele urged families experiencing domestic disputes to seek professional help before conflicts turn violent, warning that perpetrators of gender-based violence face the full wrath of the law. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Filabusi youth accused
of raping, robbing
84-year-old granny
A 20-year-old man from Fort Rixon in Insiza district has appeared in court for allegedly raping and robbing an 84-year-old woman of US$1 200.
Ndumiso Nyathi of Pioneer Village 1 appeared before Tredgold regional magistrate Mark Dzira facing charges of rape and robbery.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded in custody until August 17 for the continuation of his trial.
Prosecutor Rumbidzai Gwishiri told the court that on July 29, around 11am, Nyathi encountered the complainant — who cannot be named for ethical reasons — in a bushy area while she was searching for cattle. The two are not related, but reside in the same village.
“He hit the complainant once on the back of the neck using an unknown object and she fell down facing upwards,” Gwishiri said.
According to the State, Nyathi then raped her. During the assault, Nyathi reportedly noticed that the complainant was carrying a wallet around her neck.
He removed the wallet, which contained US$1 200 in cash, before fleeing the scene.
The complainant subsequently reported the incident to a neighbour, who alerted other residents. Community members successfully apprehended Nyathi at his residence.
The matter was reported to the police and the victim was referred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a medical examination. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Rusape man confesses to teacher’s brutal murder
A 23-year-old Rusape man, Ian Katemera, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Mavhudzi High School teacher Norman Guri, whose body was recently found with severe head injuries. Detectives arrested Katemera, a neighbour of the deceased, following a tip-off that named him as the prime suspect. Taken in for questioning, Katemera reportedly admitted to ambushing and attacking Guri with bricks and large stones.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest, stating that Katemera also stole the victim’s cellphone and house keys during the attack. He allegedly used the keys to enter Guri’s home, where he stole US$50 from a wallet. Detectives have since recovered the stolen cellphone, which Katemera had sold to Frency Chitikutuku in Vengere.
“On July 24, 2026, around 8pm, Guri left home for Old Magamba Business Centre for drinks. Around 9.30pm, he was last seen leaving Machera Bar by the bar attendant, Leeway Kadumba. The following morning, around 7am, his body was discovered by informant Media Magura (56) of Old Magamba, about 50 metres from a dusty road,” Asst Insp Chinyoka said.
According to the police, Magura noticed a blood trail, followed it for about eight metres and discovered the body lying face down.
She immediately reported the matter to ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) Rusape Central.
Investigations intensified until August 2, 2026, when detectives received intelligence pointing to Katemera. Upon being picked up and questioned, Katemera confessed to the murder.
He admitted to striking Guri multiple times with bricks and stones, attempting to burn the body and subsequently ransacking the teacher’s home.
He further led detectives to the buyer of the stolen cellphone, leading to its recovery.
Katemera remains in police custody and was expected to appear in court. — Manicaland Bureau
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Esigodini man arrested for raping nine-year-old cousin
A 21-year-old man from the Esibomvu area in Esigodini has been arrested for allegedly raping his nine-year-old cousin.
The accused, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate Sithembiso Ndebele.
He was remanded in custody for trial at a later date. The prosecutor told the court that the incident occurred on May 11, 2026 after the young girl was left in the suspect’s care.
“On May 11, around 7am, the complainant was left in the custody of the accused person by her aunt, who was going to visit a sick relative. On the same day at night, the accused person, the complainant and two other children aged seven and 11 went to sleep in the same bedroom, which they shared,” the prosecutor said.
According to the State, the accused waited until he noticed the complainant was asleep, then sneaked under the blankets she was sharing with the other children. He proceeded to rape her and threatened her against reporting the incident. The ordeal came to light on May 13 when the victim visited her grandmother and confided in her about the abuse.
The matter was immediately reported to the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest. — Matabeleland South Bureau
