Dumisani Ndlovu
Shurugwi– The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Nicholas Matanda, a 19-year-old man from Village Mazivise Chief Nhema, Shurugwi, in connection with the murder of Tanaka Sithole, 26, from Village Musapingura Chief Musikavanhu, Chipinge. The tragic incident occurred on May 9, 2025, at approximately 2300 hours at Dollar farm in Shurugwi.
According to police reports, the two artisanal miners were involved in a heated argument over the sharing of Sadza, a staple food in Zimbabwe. The disagreement escalated, leading Matanda to allegedly draw an Okapi knife and stab Sithole in the armpit. Following the attack, Matanda fled the scene.
Sithole was immediately rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital for urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries on May 11, 2025, at around 0400 hours.
Following the incident, the ZRP launched a manhunt for the suspect. Their efforts led to the apprehension of Nicholas Matanda, who is now in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon to face murder charges.
The ZRP has issued a statement appealing to members of the public to exercise restraint and respect human life. They emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and avoiding unnecessary conflicts that can lead to tragic outcomes.
“We are appealing to members of the public to respect human life and avoid unnecessary disputes,” the statement read.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the need for peaceful conflict resolution within our communities. The police are continuing their investigations and urge anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist with the inquiry.
