Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
POLICE have dismissed as false, social media reports suggesting that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of businessman Mr Joseph Mutangadura at his house in Ruwa during a suspected armed robbery on Sunday night.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital where he was rushed to after the shooting.
He was 67.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the seven suspects and vowed to bring them to book.
Yesterday, Zimbabweans woke up to messages, flooding social media platforms alleging that one of the suspects had been arrested.
The social media messages even went on to give details of the alleged arrest.
In one post on Facebook, a message suggested that the said suspect was arrested in the Gazebo area after gunfire exchange with the law enforcement agents, who eventually cornered and apprehended him.
The post went on to say after the suspect was arrested, he revealed that some of his colleagues were staying in Epworth.
However, police dismissed the posts as false.
In an interview with Zimpapers yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the public should desist from spreading false information.
“People should disregard what is being circulated on social media. The police will officially pronounce any developments regards the Mutangadura incident. Those who are putting information on social media which is not verified should be careful, lest they interfere with investigations and in the process derail what the police is doing,” Comm Nyathi said.
He said investigations were ongoing.
Mr Mutangadura will be laid to rest at Goromonzi Turnoff Cemetery tomorrow
According to the late businessman’s son Mr Munyaradzi Mutangadura, the body of the deceased will be collected from the parlour on Friday and a church service will be held at his house in Ruwa where it will spend the night before it is buried on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the community is still in shock following the untimely death of Mr Mutangadura.
“We are still in shock following this tragedy. There are people who are heartless out there. Killing someone in cold blood like that has left us wondering if all of us are really safe.
“I knew Mr Mutangadura when I was still a youth in the ruling party in Mashonaland East Province. He used to be one of those people who could not think twice when it comes to assisting during party events. You could count on him on many things. He even inspired us then to be business oriented. Not only did he contribute immensely on party issues, but he also helped vulnerable families to make ends meet. I know of people who were employed by him for decades. He even built houses for some people. He was good on putting smiles on the people.
“When I received news of his death, I went to his place to console his family. This is a huge loss to the Goromonzi community and the province as a whole,” said Mr Rogers Pote, a Goromonzi resident.
