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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Police yesterday said the explosive that killed a Harare man on Monday was an 81mm mortar bomb. The bomb was brought by four people — three men and a woman — who were travelling in a Pajero minibus that was parked a few metres way from the deceased’s house. The deceased was identified as Moses Mudefi.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday confirmed it was a bomb that exploded in Sunningdale.
“The four first approached one Courage Chiyangwa, a welder, and told him that they wanted him to open their object but he refused,” she said.
She said they then moved to Mudefi’s house where they offered him US$5 for the job.
The bomb exploded killing him instantly.
“When it exploded the four walked towards their vehicle and drove off. We are still investigating the case and we are looking for the four suspects,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
She warned the public to desist from tampering with any unidentified or mysterious objects.
A relative, Mr Takesure Matiza said between 3pm and 4pm four people approached Mudefi at his workplace with the bomb from which they wanted to extract red mercury.
“At first he did not want to do the job but what I understand is that he was offered US$100 by those people.
“He then used a grinder to grind the device in order to extract red mercury,” he said.
The bomb exploded killing Mudefi on the spot and injuring a colleague, James Mupunga.
Mupunga was taken to Harare Hospital for treatment.
Mudefi’s body was yesterday morning taken to Harare Hospital mortuary for post mortem after spending the night on the scene.
Members of the Bomb Disposal Unit, CID Forensic Unit and detectives visited the scene for investigations.
The explosion was reminiscent of the Chitungwiza incident that killed six people and destroyed 12 houses last year.
Online Reporter