adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
AN 83-year-old man from Masvingo’s Chief Gororo area was fatally stabbed while his wife was left nursing serious injuries by two knife-wielding robbers.
The robbers got away with $5 000 the couple had received from the Government as compensation for being displaced from the area to pave way for the Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam construction.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident occurred on Wednesday last week at about 9pm.
He identified the deceased as Chiramba Mapfumo of Jere Village.
He said the man has since been buried at his rural home.
The injured man’s wife was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital where her condition is stable.
He said the pair disappeared after committing the crime.
Insp Zhanero said police launched a manhunt after which they managed to arrest one of the robbers,Tapiwa Chikuya of Gwamure Village under Chief Gororo while his accomplice is still at large.
Nothing has been recovered to date.
“One of the suspects is in police custody assisting us with investigations. He will appear in court soon facing robbery and murder charges and the long arm of the law would catch up with the other suspect,” he said.
Insp Zhanero said on the day in question Mapfumo and his wife, Mrs Jostina Mapfumo (61) retired to bed at about 9pm.
“Two hours after they had gone to sleep, Chikuya and his accomplice allegedly opened their bedroom hut whose door was not locked but only closed. After opening, the pair entered and woke up the couple and demanded money,” he said.
Insp Zhanero said Chiramba tried to resist and the robbers struck him with an iron bar on the head.
“One of the suspects hit Chiramba with an iron bar while the other stabbed him. He had his stomach ripped open by an Okapi knife leaving the intestines protruding. They then proceeded to Mrs Mapfumo who they stabbed on the back several times while demanding money,” he said.
On realising that their lives were now in danger, Chiramba took the $5 000 that he had hidden and handed over to the two.
“The money was compensation from Government for the displacement. The families within the flood basin of Tokwe-Mukorsi have started being moved to other areas. Chiramba and his wife were one of the affected families and received compensation. This is the money they lost,” said Insp Zhanero.
He said the robbers disappeared into a nearby bush after committing the crime.
“On that same day, Mrs Mapfumo phoned the police who attended the scene and rushed the pair to Masvingo General Hospital. However, Chiramba was further referred to Parirenyatwa where he died on admission on Thursday,” said the police spokesperson.
Online Reporter