By Delicious Mathuthu
Gweru, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported three more deaths in Zhombe, Shurugwi and Mvuma, barely a week after one of Midlands’ senior cops, Assistant Commissioner Helena Mahonde, bemoaned rampant killings in the province.
One senior High Court Judge, Justice Bongani Ndlovu, warned during the last 2024 circuit in Gweru, that the Midlands was slowly becoming Zimbabwe’s capital for murder.
Between February 11 and 13, 2025, murders were reported in Zhombe and Shurugwi, and a male adult’s body was discovered in a mine shaft in Mvuma.
The two murders, both stabbings, claimed the lives of a 33-year-old man in Zhombe and a 38-year-old man in Shurugwi.
In the first incident, Proud Moyo (33), a resident of Mjikwa Village, Chief Malisa in Zhombe, was fatally stabbed with a Colombian knife at Tshapewa Centre on February 12, 2025, at approximately 7 pm.
The victim and the suspect, Philani Kawasala (37) of Kawasala Village also under Chief Malisa, had a long-standing grudge.
Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, said the suspect was acting in revenge.
Investigations revealed that the two had a long-standing grudge, stemming from a 2017 incident in which Moyo stabbed Kawasala.
“…the two had a long-standing grudge which started in 2017 when Proud stabbed Kawasala with a knife and [that] he was acting in revenge,” Inspector Mahoko said.
Inspector Mahoko described the events surrounding the murder.
“Both the suspect…, and the now deceased were drinking beer at Tshapewa Business Centre, Zhombe. At around 1900 hours Proud Moyo left the Business Centre going home.
“Kawasala followed, caught up with him, and assaulted him with a log as well as stabbing him.
“A passer-by refrained Kawasala and escorted Proud to his uncle King Moyo’s homestead, who resides in the same village where he died shortly after,” he said.
In the second incident, one Bright Miti (38), was also stabbed with a Colombian knife at Peak Mine Compound in Shurugwi on February 13, 2025 at approximately 5 pm, after refusing demands from three men to buy them drinks.
“It is alleged, the now deceased Bright Miti was walking from Bonza Mine in the company of a friend Tapfuma Ncube, a man aged 35 of Railway Block, Shurugwi,” Inspector Mahoko said.
“They met three men who asked them to buy them drinks. The two refused and an altercation arose.”
One of the three strangers took out a Columbian knife and stabbed Miti once behind his left knee whilst Tapfuma managed to free himself and escaped, police said.
Miti later succumbed to the stab wound en-route to Shurugwi Hospital.
“Miti was taken to Shurugwi Police Station to file a report and then taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” Inspector Mahoko said.
Police said they are investigating both incidents and urging anyone with information to come forward.
The third death is that of a male adult that was discovered in a mine shaft in Mvuma, a day before the Zhombe murder .
Police say the body was discovered at around 2 pm at Zeplin Mine.
One Maxwell Mutakura, (27), employed at Zeplin Mine, discovered the body while pumping water from the 30-meter-deep shaft.
The body was taken to Mvuma Hospital awaiting post-mortem.
Police are appealing to members of the public who might be missing a relative to come forward and identify the body.
The cases come as Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Helena Mahonde noted a successful High Court circuit in Gweru and Gokwe, with 144 convictions.
She warned potential offenders that police in the province will zero in on all criminal acts.
“To would-be-offenders, I say the long arm of the law will catch up with them soon, as the ZRP we will not fold our hands but continue to ensure that offenders are brought to book, and dealt with according to the law,” Asst. Comm. Mahonde said.
The recent judicial session ran from January 20 to February 7, with three judges presiding over cases in Gweru, while two handled cases in Gokwe.
The majority of convicted faced murder and culpable homicide charges.
Sentences handed down ranged from 14 years to life imprisonment, most cases resulting in sentences between 14 and 30 years.
Above that, of note are three cases which received 35 years each, one 40 years and three others life sentences each.
“As the ZRP we are pleased with the sentences, which serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“We are also thankful to the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) for seconding Judges to this province and also appreciate the collaboration of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the ZRP,” Asst. Comm. Mahonde said.
She also thanked members of the public for working with the police, cooperating during investigations of cases, and giving testimonies in court.
Assistant Commissioner Mahonde also highlighted that most murder cases occur along the province’s mining belts, while the rest are petty issues.
“In the Midlands Province murder cases are rampant in areas like Shurugwi, Silobela, Zhombe, Kwekwe and also Mberengwa and Gokwe.
“The majority of murder cases emanate from mining disputes, most of the accused persons will be artisanal miners and we have noted that in most instances people fight over petty issues like if someone refuses to buy another beer, and that person is attacked.
“People are also fighting over girlfriends, some over revenge on issues that occurred way back,” she said.
