The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata and Ray Bande
UNKNOWN assailants reportedly murdered a guest at a Mutare hotel before hanging the body from a toilet towel rail, while an axe-wielding man (30) ran amok and hacked his father and a neighbour to death in Chimanimani last week.
While in the hotel murder, police were still to make headway to arrest the suspects, Forward Pepa Sithole from Chandimara Village near Birchenough Bridge has since been arrested in connection with the murder of his father, Mr Dakarai Pepa Sithole, a neighbour and a traditional healer, Mr Wireless Shoorai Mwayemudza Makina.
Mr Makina met his fate while trying to subdue the marauding Forward.
Although Mr Makina was rushed to Birchenough Bridge Hospital, he later died at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare where he had been transferred.
It is alleged after the heinous act, Forward had the audacity to carry his late father’s blood-dripping body from their yard where the incident happened into the house.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda confirmed the two incidents.
“Forward killed his father before attacking a neighbour. The father died on the spot, while the neighbour was initially taken to Birchenough Bridge Hospital before being transferred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare where he died. Forward was arrested,” said Inspector Chananda.
Messer Sithole and Makina have since been laid to rest at their homesteads in Chandimara Village, while Forward appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi on Tuesday and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
In an interview after the incident on Sunday, Headman Gudyanga (Mr Fakazi Murombo), said Forward and his late father were feuding over a murder case that the latter allegedly committed while he was still working in Chiredzi.
“Their conflict was based on the alleged murder committed by the now late Mr Sithole while he was working in Chiredzi. He was advised to appease the deceased’s spirit, but refused.
“This did not go down well with the son who at times violently reminded his father of the need to compensate the murdered person’s family. The father kept on dragging his feet. At one time, the matter was brought before my court. Chief Muusha also presided over it as well, but no lasting solution was found as the late Mr Sithole spurned all advice,” said Headman Gudyanga who was among the first people to arrive at the scene.
Headman Gudyanga emphasised on the need for families to solve family differences amicably and desist from violence.
He said it was with a heavy heart that the community had lost two souls in a space of days, something which could have been avoided.
In the Mutare hotel incident, Inspector Chananda said investigations in the suspected murder of Delroy Alexio Mabambe (25) of Chikanga 2 were in progress.
He said the case is being treated as murder after homicide detectives discovered that Mabambe’s hands were tied from the back with shoelaces, an indication that someone might have faked hanging to conceal evidence.
It is alleged that Mabambe,who was alone, booked for a night at the hotel last week on Friday around 11pm.
When he checked in, he was attended to by Mr Tariro Mupfava and was taken to a room on the fourth floor.
“After showing the guest his room, Mr Mupfava went back to the reception and left him alone in the room. The following morning, Mr Mupfava went to the room to enquire why Mabambe had not reported for breakfast.
“He knocked at the door and there was no response. Mr Mupfava opened the door which was closed, but not locked and noticed that Mabambe’s cellphone, jacket, cap and room keys were on the table.
“He proceeded to the bathroom which he failed to open. He realised that something was blocking the door from opening,” said Inspector Chananda.
He said Mr Mupfava alerted the hotel supervisor, Mr Wonder Kazai (59).
“The two went back to the room and discovered Mabambe’s body hanging from a towel rail. They reported the matter to the police, who attended the scene and observed that there were no struggle marks in the room and bathroom. Mabambe’s hands were tied at the back with shoelaces,” said Inspector Chananda.
The body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
