Tendai Gukutikwa
Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
AN unidentified intruder was allegedly strangled to death after a fight broke out between him and the uncle of a family he broke into at Glendalough Farm in Chipinge, where a woman and her three children were asleep.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the incident happened after Winmore Sithole (32), intervened following a distress call from one of the children, leading to a fierce fight between him and the late intruder.
The incident took place around 1am on April 29.
“The suspect broke into the house and went straight to the bedroom where the victim was sleeping with her three kids. He mounted the victim, but struggled to cover her mouth. The victim woke up and screamed causing one of her kids to sneak out of the room and went to call their uncle, who was in another room,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Sithole allegedly rushed to the bedroom, and the intruder charged towards him, and both engaged in a heavy fight in the room.
The woman escaped, locked the doors from the outside and alerted her neighbhours.
“The victim returned with Mr Peter Mhemhedza (48), who found Sithole grabbing the intruder by the neck. Mr Mhemhedza advised Sithole to loosen his grip so that they could tie him up, which he did, but unfortunately the intruder was found to be lifeless. They tried to render first aid to no avail,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Police in Chipinge were informed, attended the scene and found the intruder, a brown hoodie jacket, balaclava, some clothes and cellphone.
Sithole was immediately arrested and taken into custody.
The phone was later discovered that it belonged to another victim who had suffered a similar ordeal.
“Sithole sustained injuries, including a bitten off lower left ear and multiple bite wounds on his body. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working to identify the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The police are working to determine if the deceased suspect was connected to other reported break-ins and rape cases in the Chipinge, and requested members of the public with relevant information to contact their nearest police station.
“We urge members of the public to assist us with our investigations. Anyone with information should come forward and help us bring closure to this case,” he said.
Sithole appeared at Chipinge Magistrates’ Court on April 30 for initial remand, and was remanded out of custody on his own cognizant (free bail).
The case will continue by way of summons.
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