By Staff Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched a manhunt for four machete-wielding artisanal miners following the murder of Prosper Mushave (27) of Wilson Village, Rushinga.
One of their accomplice has been identified as Lovemore Musauki.
Police say that on 26 October 2022 around 4pm Mushave and Fredrick Sharimo (56) of Mukanjo Village under Chief Nyakusengwa in Rushinga were drinking beer at Kasika Business Centre. Mushave had a US $100 note on him and wanted loose notes from the shops but could not get change.
While at Chipfunde shop, Prosper Mushave was approached by Lovemore Musauki and four other people who were also illegal gold panners. They started accusing him of stealing US$160 cash from them. The five said this had happened on 24 October along Ruya River in Mozambique while they were panning for gold.
A misunderstanding arose and the five started assaulting Mushave with fists and booted feet all over his body demanding back for their cash. The patrons who were nearby restrained the five men from further assaulting him.
Mushave seized the opportunity and fled from Musauki and others into the nearby bush behind the shops but they caught up with him, continued to assault him, and stabbed him with an unknown sharp object on his left rib.
After 30 minutes, Mushave came back to the shops staggering and groaning in pain. He collapsed between Chipfunde and Matika shops screaming for help.
The five assailants fled from the scene and Mushave was able to inform Mharidzo Mazengera and other patrons what had happened. After noticing the deep wound and bleeding, Mazengera rushed him to Mary Mount Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The matter was reported at ZRP Mary Mount Police base on 26 October at around 11pm and ZRP Rushinga and CID Mt Darwin attended the scene. The assailants were not located and investigations are still in progress.
The acting ZRP provincial spokesperson, Sergeant Major Samuel Chikasha, said the ZRP discouraged members of the public from solving issues through violence and that if someone committed a crime they should report to matter to the police.
