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Crime Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a manhunt for a suspected gold panner who fatally stabbed two soldiers and seriously injured another following clashes in Chipadze, Bindura, on Tuesday morning.

Police have so far picked up one suspect, who is assisting them with investigations.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspect had been identified by his nickname as Top-Tech and normally frequents Mazowe, Glendale and Shamva areas.

“Police are investigating a case in which two members of the ZDF who were stabbed to death in Chipadze, Bindura,” he said.

“We are looking for a suspect who has been identified by his nickname as Top-Tech, who normally frequents Mazowe, Glendale and Shamva areas.

“So far we have one suspect who is assisting us with investigations.”

Zimbabwe National Army director public relations Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, said the four ZNA members were taking part in the independence parade rehearsals.

He said they were coming from a bar when they met the gold panners.

Although the details were sketchy by yesterday, sources close to the investigations said the two soldiers were identified as Shaw Tizora (33) and Tawanda Gwarega (35).

Tizora was stabbed once on the back and once below his right eye, while Gwarega was stabbed once on the left side of the stomach, resulting in some of his intestines protruding and twice on the left hand.

The other soldier Pumulani Khuumani (30) was struck with a bottle on his right shoulder before he ran towards Chipadze Secondary School where they were camping, to seek assistance from his colleagues.

Detectives from CID Bindura, ZNA Artillery Brigade and ZRP Chiwaridzo later attended the scene.

A post-mortem is yet to be conducted on the two.