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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
Police have expressed concern at the upsurge in murder cases witnessed during the past five days around the country.

In one of the cases, a 92-year-old man was bashed on the head with his walking stick leading to his death.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged Zimbabweans to respect the sanctity of life.

He said most of the murders occurred when people were violating lockdown measures.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with murder cases which are emanating from petty family, friends and beer drinking disputes. In some of the cases, people will be contravening the lockdown restrictions,” said Asst Com Nyathi.

He said in the first case, a man only known as Mosquito beat up and killed a man in Chitungwiza during a drinking spree while another in Chikuti was hit with a brick and died following a dispute over US$60.

“On 31 July 2021, a 38-year-old man was fatally assaulted by a suspect only known as Mosquito after a misunderstanding during a beer drinking spree at an open space in Unit L, Seke, Chitungwiza,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said on 2 August, a Chikuti man (42) was fatally struck once on the head with a brick by his friend after a quarrel over US$60 he borrowed from the suspect.

The victim was referred to Mtala Clinic where he was pronounced dead on admission.

Asst Comm Nyathi said a Zaka a man was hit on the head with a wooden chair for refusing to pay a token of appreciation to the suspect who had helped him.

“On 2 August at a bottle store in Zaka, a 35-year-old man fatally struck a male adult aged 72 with a wooden chair once on the head after his token of appreciation request for assisting the victim to rescue his trapped cow, was turned down,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

He said in Bindura, a man used a 92-year old man’s walking stick to fatally assault him.

“On 28 July at around 0900 hours, a 92-year-old man was fatally assaulted by a suspected mentally challenged man who wrestled him and took away his walking stick before striking him once on the head. The victim was referred to Shamva Hospital where he died on 1 August.

The suspect was arrested and has since appeared before Bindura Magistrate Court where he was remanded in custody,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

In anothe case a Dete man axed a woman over groceries.

“Police are investigating an attempted murder case which occurred on 1 August 2021, in Dete, where a 20-year-old man struck the complainant once on the head with an axe over allegations that the complainant and her husband were denying him groceries bought by his mother who is in South Africa,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.

Meanwhile, police have arrested Duncan Xolani Hadebe (35) in connection with a case of attempted murder which occurred on 31 July in which the suspect allegedly fired two live rounds with an FN rifle towards the complainant after a land dispute.

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