CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU: Bar operators have been exposed for violating COVID-19 protocols after five people were arrested in Midlands province on allegations of murder in two separate incidents involving beerhall-related disputes over the Easter holidays.
In the first incident, two men and a woman were arrested on allegations of fatally stabbing 20-year-old Edwin Masango, following a dispute over a woman at Sponono bar in Mkoba.
In another incident, 40-year-old Tapiwa Manjonjo from Hukuimwe village in Buhera died after allegedly being assaulted and thrown into a dam over theft of a cell phone at Amapongogwe bar in Shurugwi.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incidents and identified the suspects of Sponono bar incident as McDonald Mpanda (31), Innocent Msipa (44) and Tendai Faith (26).
Suspects in the Amapongogwe bar incident include Elvis Mthombeni (36) and Progress Mushaya (30).
Unscrupulous business people and members of the public are being warned against flouting COVID-19 regulations.
“It is noted that the two cases occurred at beer halls in a situation where a national lockdown put in place by government as a strategy to fight the spread of COVID 19 requires beer halls to remain closed.
“We call upon all citizens and business operators to be responsible and heed the call by government. Police cannot be everywhere at all times. We call upon members of the public who witness any illegalities to alert the nearest police station so that action is taken,” Mahoko said.
Meanwhile, a suspected burglar was shot dead by an alert security guard in Gweru’s Lundi Park suburb on the 1 April 2021.
Police are now investigating circumstances leading to the shooting incident which claimed the life of the unidentified male adult who had three gunshot wounds.
Those who have a missing relative are being advised to contact the nearest police station.
