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Crime Reporter

A suspected cellphone thief was assaulted and torched to death at a farm in Chikuti area, Mashonaland West Province.

Police have since arrested one of the three suspects in connection with the murder case.

The victim was accused of stealing a cellphone belonging to one of the suspects and has since been identified as Benny Chidiwa

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Police in Murereka have arrested Goodwill Love aged 25 in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Fairplay Farm near Risheng Mine, Chikuti, on November 8, in which Benny Chidiwa died,” he said.

“The suspect and his two accomplices, only identified as Bigboy and Brave, allegedly took turns to assault the victim with a shovel and logs before burning his feet with firewood after accusing him of stealing Bigboy’s cellphone,” he said.

Meanwhile, police in Harare are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of murder in which a yet-to-be-identified man was found dead at a church shrine in Chirasavana, Dema, on November 8.

The body was covered with a blanket and had a cut on the head. A blood-stained stone was recovered at the scene.

Police in Zhombe have also arrested Brighton Moyo (20) in connection with a case of murder that occurred in Mujikwa Village near Chapewa Business Centre on November 8.

Kholwani Sibanda (34) died in that incident.

The suspect hit the victim with a farm brick on the head after an argument. Sibanda had accused the suspect of assaulting a local girl.

Police have also reported another incident in which a security guard, Anthony Mutafera (21), accidentally pulled the trigger of a 303 rifle and killed Innocent Maruku (36) as he was clearing the rifle at Singari Mine in Saruwe on November 8 at around 6 pm.

Mutafera has since been arrested in connection with the incident.