By Tinaani Nyabereka
Two unrepentant brothers from Gokwe who fatally assaulted their father on April 23, 2024, for reporting them to the police escaped death by a whisker after they were also brutally attacked by a mob over past disputes.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the case and said suspects were in police custody at Gokwe South Hospital while police have launched the manhunt for the 10 member gang that meted instant justice on the two brothers.
“We are appealing for information that may assist in the arrest of the 10 member group which attacked the two brothers and we further appeal to members of the public to respect the sanctity of human life by not engaging in violence as a way of solving disputes,” said Mahoko.
Circumstances are that the two suspects, Evans Mupamhanga (25) and Elvis Mupamhanga (21) both of farm 21, Chemagora area Gokwe South were recently released from Gokwe prison under the Presidential amnesty where they had been imprisoned for possessing an illegal firearm.
On the fateful day, the suspects were at home together with their parents Kennedy Mupamhanga and Monica Mupamhanga when they had a misunderstanding over an issue involving not filling up the jojo tank at their home with water.
The two brothers left their parents’ house after the altercation and proceeded to their father’s young brother, Forever Sikochi’s homestead of the same farm and quizzed him on why he had not filled up the tank. A misunderstanding ensued over the issue and the suspects force-marched Sikochi towards Kwekwe- Gokwe road threatening to kill him.
While on their way, the trio met Kennedy following them and suddenly held the latter whom they informed that they wanted to settle the issue of a firearm which he had previously reported to the police against them. The duo then escorted both Kennedy and Sikochi back to the latter’s homestead.
At around 1900 hours, Evans instructed Elvis to bring an axe so that they could torture their father over the firearm issue. On hearing this, Sikochi fled the scene leaving behind his brother Kennedy in the hands of his two sons. The suspects took turns to strike their father using an axe and stones several times on the head until he died.
After the heinous act, the suspects teamed up and went to their uncle, Job Mupamhanga’s (76) home to inform him of the murder they had committed. As they were explaining to Job what they had done to their father, a gang of about 10 unknown people entered into the house armed with axes, machetes and knobkerries.
They went on to attack the two brothers over a previous dispute, striking them all over their bodies until they became unconscious after which they vanished to an unknown destination. Sikochi later on returned with the police and found his brother already dead. After a few minutes he received a call from his father, Job informing him of what had transpired at his homestead.
The police reacted swiftly and found both Evans and Elvis badly injured. The two were rushed to Gokwe South District Hospital where they are in police custody and are both in serious conditions. The deceased’s body was taken to the same hospital.
