Panic grips Mutare residents

Liberty Dube
FEAR and panic have gripped residents in Mutare following the gruesome murder of Simon Chamupaningi in mysterious circumstances.

Chamupaningi’s body was discovered with some deep cuts on his throat and privates which were pierced and separated into pieces. He also had huge wounds around his neck.

He was last Wednesday morning laid to rest at his rural home in Odzi.

Mrs Lynette Chirozva of Westlea challenged police to conduct patrols especially at night, saying it would reduce escalating cases of armed robberies and murder.

“We are now living in fear. Police should protect us. The ghastly murder of Simon disturbed us. The sad reality is that no one is safe. Police must be vigilant and protect us. They should conduct day and night patrols in all areas. People are now being murdered like chickens and we no longer feel safe especially walking at night,” she said.

Said Mr Tendai Marira: “We need street lights. Most of them are no longer functional. Police should also assist residents to revive neighbourhood watch committees. I believe there is need for collective effort to combat crime. Simon was killed in a painful way and there is a possibility that he might have called for help to no avail.”

Mrs Karima of Dangamvura called for stiff penalties for murderers.

“They don’t deserve a place in this world. They should be heavily punished. Police must make sure such culprits are arrested and face the music. We need our peace,” she said.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, said they had intensified patrols in Mutare’s Central Business District as well as in low, medium and high-density suburbs in a bid to curb crimes like murder and armed robbery.

“We have intensified patrols in the CBD and in residential areas to control and combat crimes such as murder. As police, we will do our best to contain peace. We are working flat out to bring Chamupaningi’s murders to book,” he said.

Chamupaningi, on January 31, in the evening, told his wife that he was going for a beer binge.

Later that evening, a man who had visited an Ivory Coast national who was Chamupaningi’s employer saw his body lying lifeless a few metres from the gate. He alerted police who attended the scene. He had multiple injuries on his neck and privates,” said Insp Kakohwa.