Zimbabweans are are increasingly killing each other over trivial misunderstandings such as beer, girlfriends and domestic disputes.Records show that a total of about 30 murder cases were reported in the country over two weeks during the festive season, a number that is too much for such a short period of time. Machetes, axes and knobkerries are some of the common weapons used in committing the crimes while some of the homicidal perpetrators have used bare hands.
“In the past two weeks, we have had about 16 cases in one week and 14 cases in the other. As a nation we should all be worried about this because the numbers are too high for the periods,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba last week.
“What is of more concern is that a majority of these cases are a result of minor understandings over beer, girlfriends and domestic violence. We appeal to everyone, from traditional leaders, churches, schools and other stakeholders to conscientise society about the importance of human life.”
She appealed to the public to solve differences without resorting to violence, adding that the police will maintain sanity in the country at all times.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said there is need for awareness campaigns and monitoring of home tools such as axes and machetes in order to curb the proliferation of murder cases.
Some of the summons seen by The Sunday Mail Extra revealed some shocking murders that happened over the period in question.
One such case involves Fortune Ncube (47) who is being accused of murdering his friend Sindisani Sibanda (24) over beer at a bar in Bulawayo.
Police investigations showed that on Christmas Eve, the accused, the deceased and one Duke Khumalo were at a local bar when an argument over beer sharing ensued. After a heated exchange of words, the deceased allegedly picked a shovel with the intention of hitting the accused. Ncube reacted quickly and picked an iron bar. Using the iron bar, he assaulted Sindisani three times on the head and five times in the back.
In Gokwe, one Edison Sibanda (47) is being accused of striking fellow villager Francis Mutsaukirwa on the head with a log following a dispute over farming fields’ boundaries. It is alleged that the two engaged in a fist fight before Sibanda struck his deceased neighbour with the log.
In another horrifying incident, Tinos Ncube (22) of Ngwenya village in Tsholotsho lost his life on December 23 when he was allegedly attacked by a group of five men from the neighbouring village over an unknown dispute.
The accused men; Bulisani Ncube (21), Similo Ncube (28), Feli Moyo, Hlebani Tshuma and Omega Gumbo are said to have used knobkerries and axes in committing the heinous crime.
The summons read: “On Wednesday 23 December 2015 at about 1900 the accused were at Mpondo Tuckshop, Nkunzi Village, Chief Gampu, Tsholotsho when the deceased arrived in company of his three friends including Oba Moyo (23) of Ngwenya village under Chief Gampu Tsholotsho.”
According to the summons, an argument over an unknown issue arose resulting in the two groups hassling and tussling.
However, the deceased’s group was overpowered and started running away.
“The deceased fell down and was caught by the accused. The accused struck the deceased several times all over the body with axes and knobkerries and stabbed him with spears.”
Police have been sternly dealing with public drinking and illegal possession of dangerous arms.