Mid-Week Watch Reporter
CHIREDZI-In a shocking incident, Tawanda Chikwekwete (15) from Chief Tshovani in Chiredzi was allegedly fatally beaten by five men after refusing to give them R5.
The deceased, Tawanda Chikwekwete (15), of Chief Tshovani, Chiredzi, was allegedly attacked to death by Onius Chikomba (32), Julius Chin’onon’ono (30), Maxwell Salani Masakaji (52), Moses Chikomba, also known as Soma, and Francis Zukwa (38), all from the same area.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and condemned the senseless loss of life.
“We continue to urge members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and to respect the sanctity of human life. Violence over trivial matters is unacceptable and often results in devastating consequences for families and communities,” said Dhewa.
He told The Midweek Watch that on June 08, 2026, at around 1800hours Chikwekwete was looking for donkeys in Mapindami Village in the company of four other juveniles.
It is alleged that the five accused persons were returning from a traditional ceremony held at Muchoka Village when Onius Chikomba demanded R5 from the deceased who reportedly refused to hand over the money.
A misunderstanding ensued and the four other accused persons allegedly descended on the teenager, assaulting him with hands and fists all over his body while Onius Chikomba chased away the four juveniles who had been accompanying the deceased.
After dispersing the other juveniles, Onius Chikomba allegedly returned to the scene and joined the assault before allegedly striking the teenager with a stick.
On June 09 Chikwekwete was discovered lying unconscious in a sorghum field by another juvenile, who immediately alerted the deceased’s father, Nhamo Chikwekwete (49).
The teenager was rushed to Rupangwana Clinic and was later referred to St Peters Hospital in Chisumbanje, Manicaland Province. However, he was pronounced dead upon admission at around 0900hours.
A police report was made, leading to the arrest of Julius Chin’onon’ono and Maxwell Salani Masakaji. Moses Chikomba was subsequently arrested on June 11 while two suspects, Onius Chikomba and Zukwa, remain at large.
