Murder cases continue in the Midlands
By Delicious Mathuthu
Gweru, Zimbabwe – A wave of isolated fatal violent incidences continues to sweep through the Midlands province in Zimbabwe, with a trail of gruesome murders and attempted murders mostly due to mining disputes, grudges and domestic violence.
Latest reports by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the Midlands Province, on murders and attempted murders, say on February 19, 2025, a case was reported at Magarinya Bar, Msasa Business Centre in Shurugwi where one Philip Sithole, an artisanal miner, was stabbed to death by a fellow miner, Nigel Ndomene, following an undisclosed misunderstanding.
“The two had an undisclosed misunderstanding, they started pushing each other and went outside the bar.
“While they were outside the suspect Nigel Ndomene drew an Okapi knife from his trousers pocket and stabbed him twice.
“Philip Sithole fell to the ground bleeding profusely and Nigel Ndomene was instantly apprehended by members of the public as he attempted to flee the scene,” Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 pm.
Sithole was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon admission and Ndomene is in police custody.
In another incident on the same date, Thomas Nyamadzawo (53) attacked his wife, Eunice Mawisa (45), and their four-year-old daughter, Precious Nyamadzawo, with an axe at Kasamara Village under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South.
The incident occurred at approximately midnight where the suspect was accusing his wife of infidelity.
“Eunice Mawise and her daughter Precious Nyamadzawo were sleeping in the bedroom when Thomas Nyamadzawo entered and began accusing his wife of infidelity.
“It is alleged, he ordered her to leave during that night but she refused and a misunderstanding broke up.
“The suspect armed himself with an axe which was behind the door, she screamed for help as he raised the axe. Their daughter woke up and jumped onto her mothers chest, Thomas missed his wife and struck his daughter with the back of the axe once on the head and crushed her skull,” Police Spokesperson Inspector Mahoko said.
“He then continued with the assault using the same axe, severely striking his wife on the head and she fell down.
“Eunice managed to wake up and ran away while carrying her daughter to seek refuge at a neighbour’s homestead.
“The suspect followed them, he was refrained by their neighbour and disappeared into a nearby bush,” Inspector Mahoko added.
The daughter succumbed to her injuries, the mother sustained serious head injuries and the suspect attempted to commit suicide by drinking a pesticide while in the bush.
“Villagers formed a search party, they followed and found him lying unconscious on the ground after he had tried to commit suicide by drinking a pesticide,” Inspector Mahoko said.
The body of the daughter is being held at Gokwe South District Hospital mortuary while the couple, Mawise and Nyamadzawo are admitted in the same hospital where they are being treated.
On February 20, 2025, two separate incidents were reported where in Silobela, Bekhithemba Tshuma was stabbed to death in a revenge mission by a gang led by one Pardon Ncube.
The gang had been seeking revenge after Tshuma and his friends assaulted Ncube and damaged his vehicle at Msilahobe business centre in front of his family.
“It is alleged, Pardon Ncube, a man aged 33 of Village Nduku, Chief Malisa, Silobela was in the company of his wife and son when he had an altercation with Bekhithemba Tshuma and his friends at Msilahobe business centre.
“It is alleged, during the altercation, Bekhithemba Tshuma and his friends assaulted Pardon Ncube and damaged the windscreen of his Honda fit with bricks.
“Pardon escaped and went home where he mobilised his friends namely Nelly Msipa, Xolani Msipa, Dho Msipa, Prosper Ndlovu and Pardon Ndlovu,” Inspector Mahoko confirmed.
“They went to Msilahobe business centre looking for Bekhithemba Tshuma and met him along the way while he was walking in the company of an identified man.
“The gang attacked Bekhithemba Tshuma, with one of the suspects stabbing him with a knife,” Inspector Mahoko said.
The incident occurred at around 10 pm and Tshuma’s dead body was later discovered by a passerby lying in a pool of blood.
ZRP Silobela have so far arrested one of the suspects, Pardon Ncube, and is being held in police custody while awaiting an initial appearance in court.
On the second incident in Maboleni business centre, Lower Gweru, police say they have launched a manhunt for two suspects in connection with an attempted murder case where one Brighton Nkomo (34) was severely attacked with an axe and a brick after refusing to buy them beer.
The incident occurred at approximately 8 pm and the two suspects were identified as Edwin Msipha and Pardon Sibanda.
Allegations are that Brighton, of Mangwande Village under Chief Sogwala, was drinking beer at Mangwande Township, Lower Gweru with his friend, Thulani Nkomo.
One of the wanted suspects, Msipha, of Njini Village under Headman Sikhombingo, Chief Sogwala, started assaulting Brighton’s friend, Thulani, after he refused to buy him beer.
Brighton then tried to refrain Msipha from assaulting his friend.
“This did not go well with another suspect Pardon Sibanda of Village Njini, Headman Sikhombingo, Chief Sogwala (who) intervened, struck Brighton twice with an axe on the forehead and Edwin Msipa joined by hitting him with a brick once on the head.
“Brighton fell down and became unconscious and the suspects fled the scene,” Inspector Mahoko said.
Nkomo is currently admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital in a serious condition.
These tragic incidences come on the heels of other reported murders where on February 12, 2025, Proud Moyo (33) was stabbed to death in Zhombe after a long-standing grudge with his murderer.
The next day, February 13, 2025, Bright Miti (38) was also stabbed to death in Shurugwi after refusing to buy drinks for three unknown men.
Additionally, a male adult’s body was discovered in a mine shaft in Mvuma on February 11, 2025.
Inspector Mahoko said the police continue to urge the public to resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and third-party intervention, stressing that violence is a criminal offense that leads to unnecessary loss of life, and that every life is precious.
