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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter—
Seventeen people were murdered countrywide in separate incidents during the last 10 days as police continue to express concern over the sudden increase in murder cases. According to police, they are recording an average of four murder cases per week countrywide. Of the 17, 14 were killed last week alone, while the other three died on Monday and Wednesday this week.

Chief police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, confirmed and urged the public to solve disputes amicably. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to urge members of the public to exercise restraint whenever they are faced with disagreements.

“Most of these disagreements or conflicts result in domestic violence, which later turn into murder cases. People have lost respect for life and to support this, 14 people were killed only last week in separate incidents all over the country,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the causes ranged from mere misunderstandings such as fights over girlfriends. She also cited the recent murder case in Gweru in which a teenager murdered his mother.

“In another case, the deceased was located in a cemetery with deep cuts on the neck and a deformed skull. The left ear was missing and the head was completely skinned. “An analysis conducted by police revealed that the age group that is committing most crimes, which include drug abuse, drunken driving, driving without licences and robberies, is the 18–35 age group,” she said.

“We have on average four murder cases per week but the week under review had a staggering 14 cases, thus as Zimbabwe Republic Police and mandated to deal with preservation of life, we are duly concerned by these alarming statistics.”

Midlands recorded four cases, Harare (three), Mashonaland Central (two), Masvingo (two), Bulawayo (two), Mashonaland East (two), Manicaland and Mashonaland West recorded one each.

In one of the incidents, two people were killed by a mentally retarded man aged 27 at Village 1, Masimini, Kennelworth, Inyathi on Wednesday. Snr Asst Comm Charamba said at around 10 am the suspect was served breakfast by his mother in a kitchen hut and started eating before washing hands.

“His mother reminded him to wash his hands and he suddenly stood up and went outside. He returned with a log of about 70 cm length and charged towards his mother who tried to run away. The suspect caught up with her and struck her on the head once with the log, she fell down and died instantly,” she said.

The suspect then turned to his grandmother who was following behind and struck her with the log once on the head. She fell down and died on the spot as well.

The suspect picked up a hoe and struck the heads of the two bodies several times. He was later arrested and the bodies were taken to Inyathi Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem at United Bulawayo Hospitals. Snr Asst Comm Charamba said they were investigating a case of suspected murder in which an 11-year-old boy was found dead at Muvirimi Village, Chief Svosve, Wedza on Monday.

She said the previous day, the boy left home at around 8 am to herd cattle at a nearby grazing area in the company of a 31-year-old woman and two other juveniles. “On the same day at around 1700 hours, the (now) deceased separated from others and went into the bush while driving cattle back home. When the others called him, he was nowhere to be found. Searches were made but to no avail,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

He was later found dead in the bush with deep cuts on the chest, stomach and private parts on Monday at around 6 am. His body was taken to Mount St Mary’s Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to urge people to resolve their differences amicably without resorting to violence. They should seek counselling from their local police stations, leaders and church elders. They should also value the sanctity of human life,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

In September, police bemoaned the rise in crimes of passion in the country, after two women were murdered by their husbands in separate incidents in Harare following misunderstandings.