MIDWEEK REPORTER
MUTARE-Police in Manicaland are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Edmore Mazaiwana (25) of Garwi Village under Chief Marange in Mutare for murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Edmore Mazaiwana allegedly bludgeoned Daniel Mazaiwana (56) of Garwi Village as well on December 23 over a fierce misunderstanding involving US$10 who later died at around 5pm on December 24 at his homestead.
Samantha Muchena (23) from the same neighbourhood and the deceased’s daughter in law told the police that the misunderstanding started on December 21 as Denis Mazaiwana (52), brother to the deceased owed US$45 Tutsirai Mazaiwana (51) for some piece job done in November this year.
Tutsirai Mazaiwana would constantly visit Denis Mazaiwana’s homestead asking for his outstanding balance from Denis’s wife Mavis Mudare (42).
It so happened that on 21 December 2024 at around 3pm, Denis Mazaiwana was at his rural home when Tutsirai Mazaiwana approached him and asked for his outstanding balance of US$30-00 for the piece job he had done
On 23 December 2024 around 11am Denis Mazaiwana then paid Tutsirai Mazaiwana US$20-00 and on the same day in the afternoon, Tutsirai Mazaiwana, who was drunk started shouting at Mavis Mudare (42), Edmore Mazaiwana’s mother over the remaining US$10-00.
Edmore heard Tutsirai shouting at his mother, picked a wooden log and followed him to his homestead. Tutsirai who was staying with Daniel locked himself in the house leaving the now deceased outside. The late Daniel who was outside of the house told Edmore not to engage in fighting at his homestead.
The two exchanged harsh words and Edmore got emotional, drew a burning firewood and struck Daniel on the knees with it several times. Tutsirai got out of the house and joined the now deceased in fighting the Edmore.
Edmore allegedly picked a stone and struck Daniel once on the head and then took a wooden log and went to his homestead which is about 100 metres from the deceased’s homestead.
Daniel followed him and whilst at Edmore’s homestead, the accused assaulted the now deceased with the wooden log several times all over the body. The now deceased went back home but he started complaining of stomach pains and was vomiting blood.
On 24 December 2024 around 5pm Daniel’s health deteriorated and he died at his home.
A report was made at Z.R.P Marange who attended the scene and found out that the deceased had a cut on the left side of the face beside the left eye, several bruises on the right leg, at the back and on the abdomen.
The body of the now deceased was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem, but efforts to apprehend the accused were in vain as he had fled from the community.
“The police urges the public to find peaceful methods of resolving disputes or differences at family and society level. The church, traditional leaders and general community is implored to come on board to ensure the public respect the sanctity of human life.
“The police will continue to engage communities in order to promote the culture of law abiding citizens in all facets of life,” said national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Comm Nyathi issued the statement that murder cases during this year’s festive season have hit a shocking 49 from December 20 to 26.
