By a Correspondent
Two Gokwe men accused of murdering a 33-year old man have been arrested at an Apostolic church shrine where they had sought spiritual cleansing to protect them from being haunted by the spirit of the murdered victim.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko (pictured) identified the suspects as Gladman Gutu (28) and Munodawafa Francis (31). The duo is accused of murdering Willard Mupukuta (33).
“The duo, Gladman Gutu (28) and Munodawafa Francis (31) were arrested at an Apostolic church shrine where they were seeking spiritual cleansing allegedly to protect them from being haunted by the spirit of the victim Willard Mupukuta (33),” said Inspector Mahoko.
The dramatic arrest comes as police raise concern over a surge in violent crimes across the Midlands Province, many of them linked to alcohol-fuelled disputes.
In a separate case, police arrested Tatenda Zhou (24) and Tinotenda Manake of Vuta Village under Chief Maziofa, Mberengwa in the Midlands Province over the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Tinomutenda Dube at Rangwe Business Centre.
Inspector Mahoko said both Mupukuta and Dube died after being stabbed during separate disputes at beer-drinking spots, highlighting what police describe as a worrying pattern of minor disagreements ending in bloodshed.
He urged members of the public to exercise restraint while consuming alcohol, warning that seemingly trivial arguments are increasingly escalating into deadly violence.
“Both victims succumbed to stab wounds inflicted with knives following disputes at beer drinking outlets. Patrons of beer drinking outlets should endeavour to avoid what may appear to be minor disputes during the course of taking liquor, as these are among the major contributory factors to assault and murder crimes,” he said.
Police said preparations are underway for the suspects to appear before the High Court on murder charges.
The latest incidents add to a growing list of homicide cases reported across the Midlands Province. Earlier this month, a man was found dead with multiple stab wounds in Gweru’s Ascot suburb. This week, police also arrested a 27-year-old bartender from Kwekwe, Simbarashe Sithole, who is accused of fatally stabbing 33-year-old Marshal Muyuni following an argument over change.
The string of killings has renewed concerns over escalating violent crime in the province, with police urging communities to resolve disputes peacefully before they turn fatal.
