….as armed robbers uproot Shongamiti’s venerable business icon

Cephas Shava

Shedding unending tears without any consolation, over what they call a deep twist of an okapi knife unto a chest wound hardly healed, the community of Chivi South’s Shongamiti Business Centre is yet to come to terms over the tragic death of a local role model following an unprecedented armed robbery.
Four hours into their sleep on October 18, 2021 at around 1:30 am, prominent Shongamiti businessman Tafara Gudoshava (43) together with his wife Emeldah Chapungu were awakened by a bang on the door of their main house.
They came face-to-face with a gang of about five armed men who had broken into their home, an incident that would result in them harvesting Gudoshava’s life.
The robbers swiftly seized all the occupants’ cellphones and a substantial amount of money and unbeknownst to him, Gudoshava could not helplessly watch as his hard-earned money disappear with the thugs so easily.
As a result, a scuffle briefly ensued between him and the thugs resulting in one of the robbers discharging a bullet into Gudoshava’s lower abdomen.
Gudoshava’s wife told TellZim News that her husband was rushed to Ngundu clinic and later transferred to a Masvingo private clinic where he succumbed to the injuries a day after being shot.
“When they forcefully entered the house, the robbers who were about five took money amounting to R15 000. All our cellphones were seized and they later on left one of the cellphones outside and disappeared with the rest of the money and the other cellphones. There was a brief brawl when the robbers entered the house as my husband tried in vain to prevent the robbery and this resulted in one of the thugs shooting him on the stomach,” said Chapungu.
Still in disbelief that Gudoshava had unjustly met his fate, thousands of mourners thronged his homestead on Thursday, October 21, to pay their last respects to the man whom they described as an irreplaceable icon to the entire Shongamiti community.
A devoted Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) member and a father of three girls, Gudoshava was described by locals as a venerable businessman whose hardworking spirit was a unique source of inspiration to many.
Gudoshava’s longtime friend Tamuka Dewa, a teacher at Shongamiti Secondary School was at loss of words as he narrated the tragic demise of his friend.
“Our friendship dates back before Gudoshava got married. He was a very hardworking sociable businessman who helped many in different ways around Shongamiti and beyond. He was a talented soccer player and on many occasions he would sacrifice his own personal resources making local sponsorships on football. Right now I am yet to believe that my best friend is gone forever. The man has left a gap which is difficult if not impossible to fill,” said Dewa.
Other locals said they no longer feel secure given that every corner of the country has turned into a safe haven for armed robbers.
“No amount of matching justice is going to bring back Gudoshava. The man was really a father figure. Just imagining that a person of his caliber was gunned down in such a manner simply shows that we the ordinary men and women are totally insecure.
“Those who are responsible must ensure that police officers are better resourced so that they are always on critical forgotten vulnerable places like Shongamiti. Just imagine a robbery occurred here and people had to telephone detectives from Ngundu police station which is a distant away from Shongamiti and under such a situation we expect robbers to be swiftly accounted for?” said Loveness Tshuma who hails from Shongamiti.
Taking advantage of ill-equipped police detectives, who owing to lack of service vehicles on many occasions had to rely on vehicles from well-wishers to react to cases of armed robberies, rural business centres and growth points have become major targets for daring robbers who seem to be on a destruction spree, not hesitating to shoot.

Rutendo Chirume

Masvingo- The Zimbabwe Republic Police are investigating a case in which a grade one pupil kicked a fellow schoolmate in the face, who died a few days later in suspected complications emanating from the incident.
The incident happened at Tokwane Ngundu Primary School in Chivi on October 15 at around 10am whilst playing at break-time.
Tawanda Dhowai (12) died five days later on October 20 after his health started to deteriorate since the incident happened.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and revealed that the case was under investigation.
“I can confirm the incident but the matter is still under investigation. We are still waiting for postmortem results that will confirm the actual cause of death. No charges have been laid yet”, said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on October 15, 2021, the two boys were playing a kicking game during break time when the grade one pupil kicked Tawanda in the face, after which he fell on the ground and started to bleed.
It is reported that Tawanda was later sent home on the same day by his teacher who had noticed that he was sulky and looked ill.
The teacher had noticed unusual actions from Tawanda and asked him what was wrong before he narrated his ordeal.
At home, his aunt Remika Mutariri(76) who he stayed with, took him to Chisase Clinic and was referred to Chiredzi General Hospital where he was given medication and got discharged.
Tawanda’s condition continued to deteriorate and he died the same day at around 8pm at his aunt’s homestead.
Sources close to the deceased’s family however say Tawanda already had some health related complications.
“This child already had other health complications and it will be unfair to blame the other kid. He might have triggered the death but I don’t think a nine-year-old is capable to kick someone to death,” said the source.
Tawanda’s brother John Dhohwai said they will not pursue the incident any further since the two boys were friends.
“The two boys were friends, it is unfortunate that my young brother sustained an injury during that time but the boys were playing and we will not blame him for Tawanda’s death,” said John.
The ZRP has listed Masvingo province as one of the top provinces with a spike in murder cases.

Princess Masiiwa

Residents in Mucheke have expressed worry over heaps of soil that are prevalent at roadsides in the location which they feel are a potential hazard to both motorists and pedestrians.
Masvingo City Council deposited the gravel meant to rehabilitate the suburb’s roads which are in a dilapidated state.
Residents who spoke to TellZim News accused the local authority of negligence over failure to service the roads on time, something that has led to congestion, forcing motorists to encroach into pedestrian pathways thereby risking the safety of ordinary residents.
Norman Mataga a resident in Mucheke said the heaps of gravel are causing congestion on the roads delaying their arrival at workplaces.
“Nowadays we are arriving late at work places due to the congestion caused by the heaps of gravel on the roadsides. We are not moving freely,” said Mataga.
Jane Nyathi also a resident in Mucheke said council should have planned before starting their project because it is now almost two weeks and no action has been taken to repair the roads.
“Masvingo City Council should have planned first before starting their project because they are taking longer than expected which is disturbing us from travelling freely to and from work,” said Nyathi.
She also said the heaps of sand are posing a threat to residents as a little girl was hit by a car on the heaps of sand at Mucheke, but luckily she was not badly injured.
“A little girl was hit by a car near these heaps of soil at Mucheke as she was coming back from school,” added Nyathi.
Another resident Baster Nyika who usually drive to and from work in Mucheke said accidents are likely to occur as motorists stampede for give ways as a result of rushing during peak hours.
“Accidents are going to be high because of the congestion on the road as motorists end up failing to give way to each other during peak hours. If local authorities to address this problem as soon as possible before it starts raining the sand will be washed away causing siltation of water sources,” said Nyika.
Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke said council acknowledges the inconvenience the heaps of sand are causing to the public and they are waiting for equipment from a company called Tensa.
“Yes, I am aware of that and it is with regret that it is causing inconvenience to residents but we are waiting for equipment from Tensa. As soon as the machinery arrives we will start the project,” said Maboke.
Roads in most of Masvingo’s suburbs are in dire state with the rain season just at onset raising concerns as to the plight of motorists in case the gravel is washed away by the rains.