Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
A 46-YEAR-OLD taxi driver was murdered in cold blood by three unknown men in Penhalonga who had hired him to Staple Ford Estate on Monday.
Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the incident occurred around 4:30pm when the suspects approached Ronald Simbarashe Mazura (20) and Rodgers Murimbechi offering to pay US$20 for taxi fare if they transport them to Muchena Business Center.
However, the suspects had a hidden agenda.
It is alleged that when they were along Nyahunga Bridge one of the accused pulled out a firearm from the sack and pointed it to Murimbechi, who was driving and ordered him to stop the car.
When the car stopped both Murimbechi and Mazura were instructed to lay on the ground and surrender all their valuables.
“When Murimbechi was asked to stop the car at gun point he complied. The trio ordered them to lay on the ground and asked them to surrender their belongings. Murimbechi handed over an undisclosed amount of money and his cellphone. After that they were ordered to get back in the car and one of the suspects then drove the vehicle,” he said.
The accused drove the car turning onto a dusty road leading to Mutare Board and Paper Mills, covering about 400 metres.
When they reached the Drenan turn-off they were ordered again to get out.
“At a spot near Drenan turn-off, the accused stopped the car and ordered Mazura and Murimbechi to get out and lie on the ground. While Mazura complied, Murimbechi remained seated. In a savage act, one of the accused shot Murimbechi several times on the stomach. The suspects quickly fled the scene with the Honda Fit (AFF 7694) towards an unknown direction,” said Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka.
Murimbechi was bleeding from the stomach and Mazura ran towards Mutare Board and Paper Mill seeking help, and when he returned to the scene he had died.
His body was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
