Beverly Bizeki
A man from Mucheke D in Masvingo was murdered in cold blood whilst chasing robbers who had stolen his phone on August 4, 2023.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and said police had arrested one suspect and the other was still at large.
“I can confirm the murder of Tinashe Marufu who was killed in Runyararo West on August 4 and investigations are still in progress,” said Dhewa.
It is alleged that on the fateful day between 0100 hours and 0230 hours, Marufu was chasing two suspects Tichaona Chambarambo and Delight Matore who had stolen his cellphone.
The two were running towards Francis Aphiri Primary School in Runyararo West suburb.
Elvin Wezulu (37) who was sleeping at his house together with two other people Obriene Chengaose (24) and Edwin Chironga (25) heard Marufu shouting “thief thief” woke up and joined the chase.
The trio followed Marufu and Chambarambo, jumped over the fence into Francis Aphiri School whilst Matore failed to jump and Marufu caught up with him.
Chambarambo came back to rescue his accomplice and stabbed Marufu with an okapi knife once on the right side collar bone and the now deceased had to let go of Matore.
The suspects fled the crime scene but Chambarambo was later caught some meters away by Wezulu and his team together with other residents who had joined in the chase.
Marufu followed the crowd to where Chambarambo was caught and unfortunately fell down there.
The matter was reported at Runyararo West Police Base, an ambulance was called and arrived after Marufu had already died.
The deceased’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem where Chambarambo is also receiving treatment from injuries sustained from beatings by the mob when he was caught.
