The Zimbabwe Republic Police have confirmed three separate murder incidents that occurred between July 18 and July 27, 2024, in the Midlands Province.
In a statement ZRP Midlands said on July 18, 2024, around 2:00 AM, Prince Mangooma (28) and Takesure Sande (24), both from Village 2 Zhaugwe, Shurugwi, were at Wonderer Mine, awaiting their turn to mine gold. Sande entered the mine tunnel to collect leftover ores after a shift of artisanal miners had completed blasting. When Sande failed to return, Mangooma went in search of him but was unsuccessful.
A missing person report was filed at ZRP Shurugwi on July 23, 2024. The search continued, and on July 26, 2024, at approximately 11:00 PM, Sande’s decomposing body was found headlong in a mine shaft.
Silobela:
On July 26, 2024, at around 9:00 PM, a dispute over a girlfriend turned deadly at Linda Business Centre in Silobela. Collious Ncube (31) and Thabani Dube (24), both from Mthethethe Village under Chief Malisa, were drinking beer when a misunderstanding escalated. Dube drew a knife and stabbed Ncube multiple times, leaving him unconscious. Ncube was rushed to Silobela District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police arrested Dube at the scene.
Zhombe:
In a similar incident on July 27, 2024, at around 2:00 AM, a dispute over a US$5.00 change resulted in the death of Cliff Maunganidze (36) in Village Ndebele under Chief Samambwa, Zhombe. Maunganidze went to the homestead of his friend, Mariny Marimbe (31), to claim his change. The argument turned violent, and Marimbe assaulted Maunganidze with a drill bit, axe handle, and hoe, before locking him in a fowl run. The following morning, Marimbe’s sister discovered Maunganidze’s lifeless body. Marimbe was later arrested at a nearby mine. Maunganidze’s body is at Kwekwe General Hospital awaiting post-mortem.
The police have urged the public to refrain from resorting to violence to settle disputes. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.
