Crime Reporter
Police have urged the public against the use of violence to solve disputes following an increase in such cases where people were murdered.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said disputes, disagreements or any form of misunderstanding between relatives, friends, workmates or other members of the community should be resolved in a peaceful matter without resorting to the use of weapons to either injure or kill another person.
“On December 15, 2021, in Gwanda, a team of four unknown suspects believed to be illegal miners attacked Ephat Sibanda aged 30, Brian Moyo aged 31 and another male adult only known as Shorty with axes, iron bars and knobkerries and tormented, Prince (no further particulars) and Faith Moyo who are said to be boyfriend and girlfriend,” he said.
“The victims, who were known machete wielding gang members in the area, died due to injuries sustained in the attack.”
In another murder case, on Friday, police arrested Mthokozisi Ndlovu (24), Petros Dube (38), Thabani Maphosa (40) and Graduate Ngwenya (23) all from Tsholotsho in connection with the murder of Good Ndlovu (44).
Police said the previous day at around 1300hours the four suspects who were practising as tsikamutandas kidnapped, assaulted and tortured the victim with logs and hot iron bars, forcing him to confess.
The victim later died due to the injuries sustained.
Police in Manicaland are appealing for information which might lead to the arrest of Mike Zinyembe (27) of Chirengwa Village under Chief Chiduku, Rusape, who attacked Nicholas Chirengwa (34) with stones twice on the head and he died on the spot.
“The victim, who was a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, was in the company of two other witnesses intending to effect an arrest on the suspect on stock theft allegations. The suspect turned violent and attacked the victim. Then ran away,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
In a suspected ritual murder, on December 4, Audrey Mufaro Murira (five) was playing with her friends when the suspect, Philmon Chikata of Messengers Camp, Nyanga passed by and was followed by the girl who called him her friend.
“The suspect then took away the victim and disappeared. Searches for the child were fruitless only for her remains to be found at the base of a mountain in an advance stage of decomposition. The suspect has since been arrested and confessed to the brutal killing of the minor,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He assured the public that they will arrest all murder suspects and ensure that they face justice through the courts.



