By Staff Reporter
MWENEZI-Residents under Chief Negari area in Ward 3 are living in fear following another brutal machete attack that has left a 39-year-old man fighting for his life, amid a disturbing rise in violent crimes within the community.
Moscow Rapi narrowly escaped death on Thursday evening after he was allegedly attacked by fellow villager Gernia Chauke in a dispute reportedly linked to a tree log which Chauke claimed had been stolen from his field.
According to sources close to the incident, Chauke allegedly stormed to Rapi’s homestead armed with an axe and a machete while the victim was digging a pit for a Blair toilet. What began as a verbal confrontation soon turned violent after efforts to settle the matter failed.
Witnesses said the suspect first swung an axe at Rapi but missed. A second strike with a machete was reportedly blocked by the victim using his hand before a third blow landed heavily on his head, leaving a deep cut stretching towards the ear. The attack resulted in severe bleeding.
Medical personnel at Nehanda Clinic reportedly struggled to contain the bleeding before the victim was transferred to Neshuro District Hospital, where he remains admitted and receiving treatment.
The incident comes barely two months after another gruesome killing in the same chieftaincy where Simbarashe Mafurere lost his life following allegations linked to witchcraft. The area has also witnessed other violent crimes in recent months, including a fatal stabbing connected to a love triangle and another horrific murder in which a man was allegedly stabbed to death by a lover.
Community members say the escalating violence has left residents deeply worried.
One villager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as alarming.
“The angel of death is among us. Zvazonyanya pava kuda kuti nyaya dzimbofambigwa idzi,” said the villager.
Retired police officer Mafumhe, who also resides in the area, condemned the growing lawlessness and called for urgent intervention to restore peace and order within the community.
Authorities had not yet released an official statement on the matter by the time of publication.
