admin“The festive season started on a sad note in the Midlands Province after we lost four lives through murder in a space of four days. We had a murder case which occurred in Redcliff on Wednesday. Two other murder cases were recorded in Lower Gweru on Thursday. We had another murder case in Silobela and an attempted murder case in Mberengwa on Friday,” he said.
In the Redcliff incident, Asst Insp Mahoko said one Edison Mkazi (26) died after he was allegedly stabbed once in the armpit with an okapi knife by the suspect, Akim Chirwa (25).
He said this was after Mkazi had tried to restrain the suspect from engaging in a fight with a friend.
“Mkazi was rushed to Kwekwe District Hospital where he died on admission,” said Asst Insp Mahoko.
The police spokesperson said on Thursday, a Lower Gweru man stabbed his lover’s brother who had confronted him over visiting his sister at their home.
“The suspect, Handsome James (23) of Bennet Village, Headman Ndubiwa, Lower Gweru, visited his girlfriend at their homestead. He met his girlfriend near her homestead. James was then confronted by his lover’s brother, Mr Denis Siziba. Siziba was accusing James of disrespecting him,” said Asst Insp Mahoko.
He said a fistfight between Siziba and James broke out resulting in James drawing out an okapi knife which he used to stab Siziba in the armpit.
“Mr Siziba died instantly. Police attended to the scene leading to the arrest of James,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said in another Lower Gweru incident, Itai Mpofu (28) allegedly killed his wife by striking her several times on the head with a log after she offered to terminate their marriage.
“Mpofu, who could not stomach his wife Mrs Senzeni Mpofu’s decision to terminate their marriage took a log and struck her several times on the head until she collapsed. She was later taken to Gweru Provincial
Hospital where she died on admission,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said police have launched a manhunt for Mpofu who went into hiding following the incident.
“We appeal to members of the public with information that might lead to the arrest of Mpofu to approach any nearest police station,” he said.
In another incident, Asst Insp Mahoko said, one Trymore Sakala (29) from Silobela, Kwekwe rural, was arrested on Friday after he allegedly killed his wife, Ms Sarudzai Chimombe by axing her on the head following a domestic dispute.
“On the fateful day, Sakala was involved in a scuffle with Ms Chimombe accusing her of having an extramarital affair. He became violent and the wife fled to her brother’s homestead,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said Sakala then followed his wife to her brother’s homestead during the night intending to persuade her to return home.
“When she declined, he axed her several times on the head and she died instantly,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said Sakala proceeded to his homestead where he then took all their property to the kitchen hut before setting the hut on fire.
“The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Sakala,” he said.
In the Mberengwa attempted murder case, Asst Insp Mahoko said one Polanet Gumbo is battling for his life at Msume District Hospital after he was struck once on the head by his cousin, Dubai Chidudu, following a dispute over property inheritance.
“Chidudu was arrested following the incident and is assisting police with investigations,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko appealed to members of the public to engage in peaceful dialogue whenever a misunderstanding erupts.
“They should also consult the elderly in the society and church leaders to solve their disputes rather than resort to violence,” he said.
Online Reporter