MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched investigations on three murder cases that occurred in the Midlands Province during the Easter Holiday.
Midlands Province Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the manhunt for a Kwekwe artisanal miner, Blessing Foloma on allegations of killing a colleague during a beer drink at Grand Shopping Center in Mbizo.
Foloma whose whereabouts is unknown, is alleged to have stabbed Joseph Evasi (26) twice on the chest and on the elbow on 8 April 2023 around 7pm.
It is alleged that on the fateful day Evasi left home in the company of Foloma for a drinking spree at around 5pm.
Insp Mahoko said the deceased was later found lying unconscious on a shop verandah bleeding profusely.
He said Evasi had stab “wounds on the chest and on the elbow and was quickly rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead before admission”.
Insp Mahoko said on the same day in Gokwe under Chief Chireya, two brothers are suspected to have murdered their cousin brother on allegations of witchcraft.
He said Collen Javhu struck the now deceased Pondai Manyao (53) three times on the head with an axe, while his brother Francis Sibanda kicked him on the chest and abdomen with booted feet several times.
Insp Mahoko added that upon noticing that Manyao was unconscious, the two fled from the scene.
He said the three “were drinking beer at Goredema Business Centre when a misunderstanding occured, with the deceased being accused of practicing witchcraft and causing illness amongst family members”.
Insp Mahoko said Manyao sustained three deep cuts on the head and was complaining of abdominal and chest pains when he was ferried to Gokwe North Hospital.
He added that Manyao died as he was being transferred to Gweru Provincial hospital.
On the third incident in Shurugwi, Insp Mahoko said Sydney Maketo (26) of Senamwe Village under Chief Nhema died after he was allegedly struck twice on the head with a log for delaying to take the cattle to the grazing fields by a fellow herd boy.
He said Maketo and Brian Makota who are from the same village were taking turns to look after their cattle.
He said on the fateful day when Maketo went to inquire why Makota delayed to take the cattle for grazing, a misunderstanding ensued between the two.
Insp Mahoko said “Makota then took a log and struck Maketo twice on the head resulting in Maketo falling down”.
He said Maketo sustained a swollen head and was bleeding from the nose before he was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Insp Mahoko appealed to members of the public who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspects in the three incidences of murder to inform any nearest police station and warned members of the public to desist from using violence when resolving disputes.
