Moffat Mungazi
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
A 23-YEAR-OLD man was fatally attacked by a co-worker at a farm in Nyapundo Village under Chief Saunyama in Nyanga.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Joao Antonio Pungurai, a Mozambican national, was found dead with severe injuries in a shared kitchen hut at Mr Alec Nyamugafata’s farm, where he was employed as a general hand.
The incident occurred on April 17 around 9pm.
“Police are investigating circumstances around the murder of Joao Antonio Pungurai in Nyapundo Village on April 17,” he said.
He said a dispute arose between Pungurai and the suspect, Revai Guri (38) on April 11 over a cigarette lighter that the deceased had borrowed.
“Guri claims that Pungurai damaged the lighter, but the issue was reportedly resolved after Ms Martha Nyamaropa – Mr Nyamugafata’s wife – intervened and temporarily settled the matter,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
It is alleged that on the fateful evening, Ms Nyamaropa had supper with the two in the kitchen hut around 7pm.
She later retired to bed in her bedroom, which is 50 metres away.
Around 9pm, her son, Thulani Nyamugafata returned home from watching football at Nyapundo Business Centre, and found Pungurai lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen.
He was reportedly bleeding from the forehead.
Thulani alerted his mother, who in turn notified her husband, who was away.
Mr Nyamugafata, along with his wife and son, searched the hut and discovered that Guri had fled.
All his personal belongings were also missing.
The incident was reported to ZRP Nyamaropa-Bende Base, and upon investigation, police found a blood-stained wooden axe handle near the deceased.
Pungurai had injuries on the forehead.
Guri is still at large, and police are appealing for information leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter