adminFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Correspondent
SHURUGWI Town was yesterday plunged into mourning as hundreds of people thronged a local cemetery to bid farewell to Simbarashe Muchengeti, the suspected armed robber who allegedly shot himself dead while in police custody on Thursday. Muchengeti was buried at Shurugwi Central Cemetery with various speakers describing him as a responsible and caring man.
They said Muchengeti, 39, was a well behaved man while his family dismissed reports in the media that he was a serial armed robber on the police wanted list.
However, his immediate family, unhappy with media reports that linked their deceased relative to a spate of robberies, decided to be cautious and issued a written statement.
In the statement, the Muchengeti family said Simbarashe’s house was only 20 metres away from Shurugwi Central Police Station, disputing the fact that he was on the police wanted list.
They said they still had a lot of questions that they want the police to answer regarding the manner in which they handled their deceased relative’s case.
The Muchengetis said they were not convinced that their departed relative could have killed himself.
“We ascertained from the police officer-in-charge Shurugwi that an armed robbery incident involving six men occurred in Masvingo on March 20, 2014 and the complainant was alerted by his employees. On his way to the crime scene, the complainant came across a motor vehicle with a description similar to the one alleged to have been used in the robbery and he followed it,” reads part of the three-page dossier.
They said Muchengeti who was travelling alone was stopped by the complainant and he cooperated.
“The complainant proceeded to search Simba’s vehicle. Despite the fact that nothing was found, the complainant was not convinced that Simba was innocent. A heated argument arose between Muchengeti and the complainant. Muchengeti later suggested that they drive to Shurugwi Police Station so that they could solve the issue amicably at the police station. He went to the police on his own accord.”
The family alleged that the police and the complainant confirmed Simba went to the police voluntarily.
While at Shurugwi Central Police Station, the parties were told the matter would be dealt with by the police in Masvingo since the alleged robbery had occurred in that city. Muchengeti was placed under arrest, subjected to a normal search and strip procedure and was quickly handcuffed, the family alleged.
“The police took his belongings. At around 10AM, Simba’s mother came to see him. She left her number and asked the police officers to telephone her should her son be transferred to Masvingo,” said the statement.
The family members said they were shocked to learn on the following day late in the afternoon that Muchengeti had died while still in detention.
They said the police at Shurugwi denied them access to where Muchengeti died.
The family said on Friday, they consulted the officer-in-charge of as well as the officer-in-charge of CID minerals at the same station.
They ascertained that Simba was strip-searched by four CID minerals officers before being handcuffed.
It was ascertained that the toilet that the police reportedly took Simba to was disused because the cistern leaks and the whole floor was covered with water.
“No effort was made to formally advise Simba’s family of the incident. No forensic examination was conducted on the scene which the police hastily contaminated.
His personal belongings like shoes, socks, wallet, belt, cell phone, cash and other items removed from his possession when he was being searched are missing. The firearm that he is said to have used to kill himself was inexplicably removed from the scene by the police officers from Masvingo who did not return it despite several requests. It had to be collected from them three days later. No record of handover, takeover of the firearm was made when it was taken by the Masvingo police. No search was made for the bullet or spent cartridge until the firearm was retrieved,” said the Muchengetis. They said the firearm was supposed to be taken for ballistic testing and they were surprised why such a basic requirement was omitted.
The Muchengeti family wanted to know the person who gave the media the story that insinuated that Simba was a serial armed robber and stating that he had committed suicide even before investigations on circumstances of his death had begun.
“Simba had never before been accused of or charged with plain or armed robbery. No medical personnel attended the scene, so who declared Simbarashe dead? The police have a lot of questions to answer and the family eagerly awaits the conclusion of the police investigations into Simbarashe’s death and hope that investigations will answer these questions,” said the family.
Online Reporter