GOKWE – Police in Gokwe has launched a manhunt for four men who allegedly murdered their relative by striking him with machetes and axes for supposedly practicing witchcraft.
Midlands Police Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Collen Bheka (39) of Ndhlalambi Village, Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South died after he was severely assaulted on Tuesday around 2: 30 pm.
He identified the suspects as Talent Majoni, Evidence Wellington Majoni, Takudzwa Majoni and Trymore Mpofu. Talent, Evidence and Takudzwa are Bheka’s cousins.
Circumstances are that on the fateful day, Bheka left home intending to go to his grinding mill some 800 metres away from the homestead.
He noticed the four men approaching him armed with axes and machetes and he sought refuge at his parents’ homestead where he locked himself inside a hut. The quartet broke down the door, dragged Bheka out of the hut and severely assaulted him before his parents until he died. They fled from the scene.
A Police report was filed at ZRP Gokwe and officers attended the scene. The four suspects are on the run. Police is appealing for information leading to their arrest. Mahoko appealed to the public to desist from engaging in violence when solving disputes.
“Once again, we sincerely appeal to the public to desist from engaging in violence during disputes. Murder is now a cause for serious concern in the Midlands province. Chief Justice Luke Malaba indicated that the Midlands province recorded the highest number of murder cases last year when he officially opened the 2024 Legal Year,” he said.
