Sundaymail Editor
A DISPUTE over US$2, given as a token of appreciation, resulted in the death of a Zimunya man after he was stabbed with a broken beer bottle by a colleague.
The colleague accused him of being selfish and stingy.
The victim, Phineas Hurekure, was fatally stabbed by Tobias Kutadza after the two men helped a stranger retrieve his vehicle from a ditch at Madanhire Business Centre in Chigodora.
The stranger, whose identity is unknown, gave US$2 to Hurekure, an act that angered Kutadza, who demanded a share of the money.
The victim died shortly after being admitted to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital due to significant loss of blood.
Kutadza reportedly inflicted severe lacerations on Hurekure’s throat and chin.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, which occurred in Chief Zimunya’s area.
“Around 9pm on the day in question, the deceased and the accused were drinking beer at the Madanhire Business Centre, Zimunya, Mutare, when a motorist driving a Toyota Corolla got stuck in a ditch near the business centre.
“The motorist called for help. Ten people, including the accused and the deceased, responded. The driver gave them US$2 as a token of appreciation, which the victim received.
“Kutadza then followed Hurekure, who had gone to sit in a gazebo. The accused broke the beer bottle he was holding and stabbed the now-deceased twice in the throat and once in the chin. Hurekure attempted to walk but collapsed,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
Upon realising the severity of Hurekure’s injuries, the accused is said to have fled the scene.
The deceased’s relatives, Tendai Hurekure (21) and Gift Hurekure (34), arranged transport to take him to hospital. Simba Mkwanzini ferried him to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he later died.
Police officers who attended the scene arrested Kutadza at the Ganje homestead, approximately 100 metres from where the attack occurred.
Investigations are ongoing.
Asst Insp Chinyoka urged people to resolve disputes amicably and peacefully, rather than resorting to violence, which often results in death.
He encouraged individuals to seek advice from third parties, such as elders, church leaders or the police community relations and liaison offices, to resolve matters professionally and maturely. — Manica Post
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Uncle accused of sexually assaulting young nieces
A man from Pumula North, Bulawayo, has been accused of sexually assaulting his two nieces aged 12 and 13.
The girls have since been placed in a foster home.
The man lived with his nieces and an elderly woman. A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, said the assaults began in November last year.
A source close to the investigations reported that on November 10, while the elderly woman was out of the house, the man allegedly dragged the 12-year-old girl into his bedroom, threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her.
The source added that he repeated the assault whenever the elderly woman was away.
In December, he allegedly began assaulting his other niece. He reportedly fondled her breasts before sexually assaulting her.
He continued these assaults whenever the elderly woman was out, repeatedly threatening the girls with a knife if they told anyone.
The abuse was not disclosed until the girls’ aunt, who lives in Britain, visited Zimbabwe in December.
Noticing their suspicious behaviour, the aunt questioned them and they revealed their uncle’s abuse.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the man’s arrest.
Childline was also notified and the two girls were subsequently placed in a foster home in Belmont.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and advised parents not to leave their children in the care of male relatives.
“It is worrying that some men, entrusted with caring for their relatives’ children in the absence of the guardians, end up sexually abusing them. Therefore, parents should take their children with them to avoid any potential sexual abuse,” said Asst Insp Msebele. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Machete attack over affair
A brutal machete attack in Chipinge has left a 40-year-old man with serious injuries and two individuals are now facing assault charges.
Takura Chinoda (45) and Felix Ngayi Mutisi (42) allegedly attacked Edmore Nyabanga with a machete, striking him once on the forehead and three times on the back.
The cause of the attack, according to reports, was an alleged affair between Nyabanga and Chinoda’s girlfriend.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, stating that Nyabanga sustained deep cuts and is in serious condition.
“The incident happened on January 25, around 8pm in the Douglas Farm compound in Chipinge,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
“Edmore Nyabanga, the victim, was allegedly attacked by Takura Chinoda and Felix Ngayi Mutisi over a love affair.”
Reports indicate that Chinoda and Mutisi went to Nyabanga’s house armed with a machete.
Chinoda allegedly struck Nyabanga on the forehead and back multiple times. Mutisi then grabbed the machete and also struck Nyabanga on the back, causing him to fall.
The victim reportedly managed to gain control of the machete and the two accused fled the scene. He sustained several injuries, including three deep cuts on the back and one on the forehead.
The victim’s wife, Desire Mhandu, returned home to find her husband in severe pain, according to Asst Insp Chinyoka.
Mhandu immediately alerted their neighbour, Lucky Makuyana, and together they reported the incident to ZRP Chipinge Urban.
Police officers attended the scene, and Mutisi was arrested. Nyabanga was rushed to the Chipinge District Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
“The machete used in the attack was recovered by the police and investigations are ongoing,” said the police. — Manica Post
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Jealous ex-lover attacks rival in bedroom
A Bulawayo man is living in fear after allegedly being assaulted and humiliated by his girlfriend’s ex-lover.
Emory Nare, of Sotshangane Flats, claims Dumisani Hadebe has been harassing him. “While I was with my lover in her bedroom at her family house, Dumisani barged into the room and hit me with fists and kicked me, accusing me of snatching his lover,” Nare said.
“I was half-naked and I bolted out of the room, but he pursued me and caught up with me before he hit me against the wall.”
Nare further stated that Hadebe routinely insults him in public. He also claims the accused issued death threats.
“While I was not at home, Hadebe went to my lodgings and told my landlord that he wanted to kill me.
”As such, I am living in fear,” Nare explained.
Hadebe did not attend the court session.
Magistrate Challenge Mahembe granted Nare a peace order, prohibiting the accused from physically and verbally abusing him. — B-Metro
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