Murder accused takes own life

Herald Reporters
The Chitungwiza man, Proud Mupambwa, who was arrested on Saturday for allegedly axing his two friends to death and wounding another has committed suicide in police cells, police said yesterday.

Mupambwa died yesterday in police holding cells at St Mary’s Police Station where he was detained on murder charges.

Police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the development, saying investigations into Mupambwa’s death were under way. Mupambwa on Saturday reportedly went berserk and allegedly killed Lloyd Jambawu (30) and Marko Masenda (37) before he was arrested at the crime scene.

He was expected to appear in court today. “Circumstances are that after being arrested, the accused was put in a cell at St Mary’s Police Station where he violently injured himself and was taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital where he was treated and discharged,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

“On being re-detained, Proud Mupambwa revealed that he was thirsty and requested for maheu, which his wife brought.”

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said Mupambwa reportedly told other suspects that he wanted to eat human intestines.

“The accused later passed on in the early hours of 16 November 2015,” she said.

Prior to the alleged commission of the murders, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said, Mupambwa had bade farewell to his wife and shared household property to relatives.

She said Mupambwa also told his wife that he was going to die on the day or he would do so in jail.

“Of late, the accused had been exhibiting suicidal tendencies and was expressing concern with the extent of family problems which he alleged were being caused by some relatives who dabbled in witchcraft activities,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Mupambwa’s body has since been taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for post-mortem.

Masenda and Jambawu’s relatives said yesterday they were still in shock as they try to come to terms with the untimely death of their loved ones. They said the murders were “very surprising” considering that Mupambwa and the two were very close friends.

On the fateful day, Mupambwa had called his friends to meet so that they could go together to a meeting. Masenda’s brother, Mr Wellington Hombasha said the family was horrified by their relative’s death and were still to understand the real reason towards the murder since the friends never quarrelled on the day. “I believe this is the act of evil spirits because looking at the whole picture, I can conclude that the devil’s hand was at work,” said Mr Hombasha. “We do not expect such action from someone with rightful senses.”

Ms Juliet Chakavarika, Masenda’s aunt, said she was at pains to learn of her nephew’s death.

“I still find it very difficult to comprehend since Marko grew up in my custody,” she said.

“He was very humble and could not pick up a fight with anyone. We heard that Marko never wronged Mupambwa in any way since they were very close and would work together on menial jobs.”

Abraham Chawira, who escaped after trying to restrain Mupambwa, said he could not believe he was alive. “We were all best friends who were always together,” he said. “After Mupambwa killed Jambawu, Masenda and I wrestled him and snatched the axe from him before we ran in different directions.

“Mupambwa followed Masenda who had the axe, snatched it and hit him hard with the weapon. He was baying for our blood. Mupambwa then sat next to Masenda’s body until the time he was arrested.”

Another survivor, Mr Eliphas Chawira, father to Abraham, said he was still terrified by the incident.

“Mupambwa came here on Saturday around 6am to pick up my son Abraham so they could attend a meeting,” he said. “When he came we never suspected that he had intentions to kill anyone.”

“Mupambwa asked for an axe to cut some firewood and from that moment I went out to my workplace where I repair shoes. It was after a short while when I heard that he had struck Jambawu on the head with the axe.”

Jambawu’s relatives, who were gathered in Mufakose for his funeral, said his death was a sad development.

“It is so painful that he was not ill and had not quarrelled with Mupambwa,” grandfather to Jambawu, Mr Ngoni Jambawu said. “My grandson did not deserve such as horrible death.”