BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
The Zimbabwe Republic Police, (ZRP), in Masvingo on Saturday released a press statement confirming the occurrence of two separate horrific murder cases in the province. Both cases were reported on Friday. The brutal incidents have sent shockwaves through local communities, with investigations now underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In the first case, a tragic incident unfolded in Chorupanga Village, under Chief Nyajena in Renco, whereby a couple was assassinated by close family members who teamed up for the gruesome murder. It is reported that at dawn, Tizirai Chidinhika (77) and his wife Mirriam Polisiri (92) were allegedly assaulted to death by their son, Rameck Chidinhika (53), along with his three children, Constancia (28), Vimbai (19) and a 15-year juvenile.
The family reportedly confronted the elderly couple at their homestead, accusing them of practicing witchcraft and harboring goblins, which they believed were bringing misfortune. Armed with switches, logs, and a hoe, the accused family members violently attacked Tizirai and Mirriam, inflicting severe cuts, fractures, and deep wounds. A neighbor witnessed the assault and quickly informed the police, who arrived to find the couple already deceased. Their bodies were taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem. The four accused have long since been arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.
In a separate incident, the body of a 35-year old man, Jabson Bunukwa Kwangwari, from Runhare in Village 1, was discovered in a state of decomposition in Chiredzi. Kwangwari`s employer, Christopher Nyathi (75), from Westwood in Chiredzi, made the grim discovery in the morning after noticing a swarm of flies and a foetid smell emanating from Kwangwari`s home on a local plot.
With the help of the police, the door to the house, which had been tied shut from the outside, was forced open. Inside, Kwangwari`s body was found lying in a pool of blood, showing signs of a brutal attack. The body had some deep cuts on the head and arm, and the house appeared ransacked, with his trousers` pockets turned inside out and personal items scattered. Kwangari`s body was taken to Chiredzi District Hospital for post-mortem, and the police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.
The police have urged the public to refrain from using violence to settle disputes and encouraged the use of third-party mediation in conflict resolution. Meanwhile, investigations in both cases are ongoing.