Murder deals cop’s family a blow

officers, relatives and friends converged at the home of slain Inspector Petros Mutedza (42) to pay their last respects.
Insp Mutedza was killed by suspected MDC-T activists at Glen View 3 Shopping Centre on Sunday while on duty.
He will be buried in Mukumbura today.
His family and workmates are still battling to come to terms with his death.
“Bla Pets”, as he was commonly known in the area left behind a wife, Joice and three children – Nesbert (18), Nokuthula (13) and Ngonidzashe (7).
The narrations by family members were a clear sign that the Mutedza clan has been robbed of a “father”.
His youngest child, Ngonidzashe, does not believe the fateful Sunday was the last day for him to speak to his father.
He captures the mood in the camp saying, “Dad left for work and I thought I would see him again, but up to now I haven’t seen him. I can’t believe that he is no more.”
His mother said she had lost her pillar of strength and would not imagine raising her kids without her supportive husband.
“When he left for duty on Sunday, I thought that he would return as usual. I was actually shocked to receive the sad news of his death.
“As you can see we had a family to look after, all of them are still going to school and without him, I don’t know what I am going to do. He was the breadwinner.
“These people (MDC-T activists) have destroyed my life and I don’t know where to begin and where to go,” she said.
She called for heavy punishment against her husband’s killers.
“After this experience I think a murderer should also be killed but I hope the police will act accordingly,” she said.
For Nokuthula, a Form One pupil at Rusununguko High School, Monday May 30 will ever be the darkest day in her life.
“I was in class when I received a message that my brother wanted to see me. I went there in a happy mood thinking that he had come to see me.
“What pained me is that I was told that there was a function at home and so I packed my things without knowing anything. I was only told about the death when I was a few metres away from home and I don’t know what it will take to erase this day in my mind,” she said sobbing.
Her brother Nesbert, who is in Form 5 at Ellis Robbins added: “I didn’t expect that. I was happy the whole day, only to receive the sad news in the evening. What I just want is for the police to descend heavily on the murderers.”
His sister Ms Eunice Mutedza said she was shocked to by her brother’s death.
“Petros was well-behaved and disciplined. He didn’t quarrel with any of the family members and would also be there to assist anyone in the family,” she said.
She applauded the force and Insp Mutedza’s friends for their support.
“I guess I will leave everything to God and I would like to thank everyone for the support during this bereavement.
“To my brother, I will say rest in peace and never forget to look after your family.”
A colleague who once worked with Insp Mutedza at Kuwadzana Police Station described him as a peace loving man.
“We worked together in harmony and though we were now at different police stations, he was always there for us with his advice,” he said.
Insp Mutedza was born on December 10, 1969 at Chirinda Village in Mukumbura, Mt Darwin and did his primary and secondary education at Mukumbura and Katarira schools, respectively.
In November 1993 he was attested into the force as a Constable and emerged the best recruit of his team during training at Morris Depot.
He was posted to Mabelreign Police Station where he worked in various sections, including the Police Internal Security Intelligence.
In 2001 he was transferred to Dzivaresekwa Police Station where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was later promoted to Assistant Inspector before being transferred to Kuwadzana Police Station where he assumed duties of Member-in-Charge (crime).
He was promoted to Inspector in October 2009 and was transferred to Borrowdale Police Station.
Zanu-PF Chief Whip Cde Joram Gumbo castigated violence perpetrated against law enforcers.
“Police do not work for themselves, but to protect the public. As Zanu-PF, we believe law enforcement agents should be allowed to exercise their duties without fear of retribution. Denying them the right to exercise their duties promotes lawlessness, which is bad for any country,” he said.
MDC-T Chief Whip, Mr Innocent Gonese, said police in Zimbabwe were supposed to work in an “even-handed” manner.
“When they are compromised, people can react. Sometimes police can act in a very heavy- handed manner and they should know that respect is earned. We believe that for there to be peace and security, the police should not be aligned to any political party,” he said.