adminPeter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
HARARE businessman Irvine Mereki shot dead his long-time girlfriend before turning the gun on himself on Monday night at the height of a domestic dispute at a house in Avondale. Mereki (32) and Clariss Chopamba, whose age was not given, were found dead by a maid yesterday morning when she called for work. Police spokesperson Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka confirmed the incident that occurred at a house along Oxford Road in Avondale.
“We confirm the death of the two and we have since attended the scene,” Supt Chishaka said.
“The bodies of the deceased have since been taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for a post-mortem.”
According to police, the tragic incident was discovered by a maid who wanted to get car keys from her boss Chopamba to give to a gardener who had reported for work and wanted to clean the car.
“She found the two deceased persons lying on the floor of the bedroom and a report was made to the police,” Supt Chishaka said.
He said police attended the scene and found Mereki lying face down with a gunshot wound behind his right ear and was holding a silver Star pistol in his right hand.
“His forefinger was on the trigger guard and the pistol was loaded with two rounds and also two used cartridges were found in the bedroom,” he said.
Supt Chishaka said Chopamba was also lying in a pool of blood facing up on the bed with a gunshot wound on her left ear.
Supt Chishaka said preliminary investigations revealed that the couple had a five-year relationship and had a son together.
“He also said the weapon used was registered in Mereki’s name.
Supt Chishaka urged the public not to take the law into their own hands but to seek counselling from nearest police stations.
Relatives of Mereki who were gathered at Avondale police station allegedly assaulted a ZBC cameraman, Tafadzwa Chigwede.
“They assaulted me and stopped me from filming the transportation of the deceased bodies to the mortuary,” Chigwedere said.
He said he reported the case of assault at Avondale police station, and a relative of the now deceased — Maison Mereki — was picked up in connection with the assault.
Online Reporter