Online Reporter
The Herald, 1 January 1986
ONE person died and three others were seriously injured after a Chitungwiza man went berserk with a spear on Christmas Day.
A police report on Thursday mentioned the death of Cde David Tsikira who was stabbed to death with a spear.
A Herald investigation yesterday found that Cde Charles Takawira (brother-in-law), the dead man’s brother Kizito, and an off-duty policeman who tried to calm the quarrel, were also seriously injured.
Cde Takawira underwent an operation soon after being admitted to Chitungwiza General Hospital that evening.
He was stabbed twice in the stomach, in the back and in the head by the assailant who was an uninvited guest to their Christmas party in Zengeza 3.
The assailant, who came from the street where Cde Kizito stays, was said to have come to the dead man’s house with a record he wanted played.
He was said to have danced to the music and later went into Cde Tsikira’s house where women were.
Cde Takawira’s wife said that when the assailant got into the house he ordered everyone to stop whatever they were doing and gave them snuff. The snuff, she said, was said to help heal Cde Tsikira’s sister who is seriously ill at the house.
The assailant ordered that a straw mat be spread on the floor and that somebody sit on it and diagnose the illness.
The assailant was reported to have left the house and went outside where the men were drinking. He poured several beer bottles on the ground. That was when the quarrel started.
The off-duty policeman who lives across the road went to calm the quarrel but the assailant hit him above the right eye with a stone. People at the party took him to a near-by clinic.
The assailant then left. On their way they were confronted by the assailant who wielded a spear and stabbed Takawira on the left side.
Lessons for today:
- A single individual’s violent outburst led to death and serious injuries. The passage teaches the importance of conflict management, mental health awareness, community safety measures, and timely law enforcement intervention.
- The assailant was an uninvited guest who disrupted the party. His strange actions (ordering rituals, pouring beer) suggest possible intoxication or mental instability.
- Neighbours and an off-duty policeman tried to intervene but lacked adequate means to stop the violence. Communities should know how to respond safely during violent incidents and when to seek law enforcement help immediately.
- The assailant introduced snuff and demanded rituals, which escalated tensions. Misuse of cultural practices can lead to conflict, respect and understanding are essential.
Peter Tanyanyiwa