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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
A NYANGA man who fought with his friend over farming inputs has confessed that he killed the latter.
Panashe Masasa (23) appeared before acting Chief Saunyama last week and confessed that he killed Tawengwa Mawere.
Masasa said he committed the heinous crime as he was walking home with his cousin, Prince Manjoro, and the late Mawere.
Acting Chief Saunyama ordered Masasa and Manjoro to be escorted to Nyanga Police Station.
“I am afraid you will not be going back home today. You will be escorted to the police. You either killed Mawere or contributed to his death by fighting with him. The police have to revisit the case,” ruled acting Chief Sauynama.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said a murder case has since been opened against Masasa, while Manjoro will be treated as a witness.
“Investigations on the murder are now in progress. Efforts will be made to find out whether the deceased was killed as a result of the fight or if he died due to natural causes,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Masasa said he was infuriated when his name did not appear on the beneficiaries’ list and Mawere teased him about it.
“I am here to confess. I fought with Mawere before his death. I did not disclose that to the police when they recorded my statement as I was afraid they would arrest me.
“I only told the police that we were coming from a beer-hall when he collapsed. I cannot continue concealing the truth as this is tearing me apart,” said Masasa.
He added: “We fought on our way home. We made peace, but fought again. Mawere later fell down and died as we were walking home. Manjoro and l tried to render him first aid, but it was too late. We rushed him to Nyanga District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“When we went to make a police report, we told them that he had collapsed and died. They asked us if he was drunk when the incident happened and we told them that he had been drinking beer on an empty tummy. It was concluded that he had died as a result of too much intoxication and we were released without any further interrogations,” he said.
Masasa said he approached the Maweres and confessed to his sins after Tawengwa’s burial, but they did not take any action.
A neighbour who had gathered the news brought the issue to acting Chief Saunyama’s attention a month later.
Said Mawere’s aunt, Chiwoniso Mawere: “We were told that the whole process of making a police report, exhumation and having another post mortem done on Tawengwa would be time and financially consuming, so we just decided to let it go.
“We believed Masasa when he told us that Tawengwa had collapsed and died as they were friends. We were shocked when we heard after Tawengwa’s burial that Masasa had a hand in his death,” said Chiwoniso.
Manjoro said had not it been for him, Masasa would not have confessed.
“I am the one who initially confessed to Mawere’s parents after the burial as I could not live with the guilty conscience. I was there when they were fighting and I am the one who tried to stop the fights. Of course, Mawere was drunk, but they fought and now someone is dead,” said Manjoro.
Online Reporter