Gokwe man killed in a love triangle

GOKWE – A love triangle ended in tragedy after a 20-year-old man from Gokwe was stabbed to death over allegations he had confronted a rival suitor and cautioned him against marrying a pregnant woman the deceased claimed was his girlfriend, police said.

Two suspects Simbarashe Zikoke, 27, and Wellington Zharare, 23, of Chinyauro village, allegedly intercepted Justice Chidhakwa of Chidhakwa Village, in Manoti, while on his way home from Kana Mission Business Centre, and stabbed him once in the chest and thigh, killing him on the spot.

The cold-blooded murder occurred last Sunday, Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko told ZimLive, adding that the suspected killers were still on the run.

“The two suspects accused Chidhakwa of calling their friend Joseph Muzenda whom he claimed to have married his pregnant girlfriend,” Mahoko said.

“A misunderstanding then arose between Justice Chidhakwa and the suspects, and Zikoke then grabbed Chidhakwa from behind whilst Zharare stabbed him with a knife once on the left side of the chest and once on the left leg.

“He died on the spot. The two then placed a loaded cotton bale on top of the body and disappeared from the scene,” he added.

Inspector Mahoko said a manhunt was underway and appealed to anyone with information to step forward. He also advised against resolving differences with violence.

“Police are appealing to members of the public who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspects Simbarashe Zikoke and Wellington Zharare to inform any nearest police station.

“On the same note, we reiterate the need for people to seek mediation from elders whenever they have differences,” Mahoko appealed.

The body of the deceased was taken to Gokwe South Hospital mortuary.

Mashame’s Budiriro Primary School takes shape

THE Government has completed the construction of a state-of-the-art primary school in Gokwe North, part of the Second Republic’s first 17 schools in marginalised areas earmarked under the Better Schools Programme.

Gokwe North District Development Coordinator, Mr Martin Musakanda, said the new school called Budiriro Primary, was one of the Second Republic’s major scores as it will help change the lives of school children in the area who had been travelling for 30km to the nearest school.

“The school is now complete and ready for commissioning. It is a major relief to the pupils around, they have been walking over 30km to and from school,” he said.

The community has been grappling with high rates of school dropouts.

But the new school, which has high quality furniture, solar power, running water and a modern flashing system, is expected to motivate learners.

Mr Musakanda said given the way it was constructed, the school will lure both pupils and teachers who for long, have been shunning Gokwe.

Before Government took over construction of the school, learners were using pole and dagga structures for their lessons while some conducted lessons in the open.

The local legislator, with the help of the community, had initially constructed one classroom block before Government took over.

School deputy head, Mr Tizai Fambeki, said the school was started in 2011.

“We started this school in 2011 as a satellite school for Mashame Primary school. This means we were not allowed to sit for examinations. We had shades made by parents where children would attend classes from.

“It was in 2014 when we constructed our first classroom block with the help of the local MP, using the Constituency Development Fund. The Government then took over in 2016 with proper construction starting in 2017,” said Mr Fambeki.

He thanked Government for the efforts in ensuring the school was completed.

Villagers said the new school was a welcome development as it would help their children who used to walk for 15km to the nearest school.

“This weighed heavily on their general performance in class,” said Mr Morebrain Moyo, a villager.

Another villager, Mrs Abigail Nyanga, said the area used to be a conservancy and some of their children were previously attacked by wild animals while walking to school.

IN NEWS: GOKWE teen (17) gonyeti for joy ride

An unlicensed 17-year-old boy left the Victoria Falls community gobsmacked after reportedly breaking into a parked 22-tonne haulage truck during the night and drove away.

Petros Nyenyiwe, who is originally from Gokwe, stole the truck on Saturday night and drove it to Kazungula border, close to 100km away and was intercepted by police on his way back to Victoria Falls, leading to his arrest.

A motorist who was driving along the same road on Sunday informed the owner, one Tinashe Manyawu after noticing the truck and that was how he realised that the truck had been stolen.

He was later taken to court facing theft and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent charges.

The Forden truck belongs to Honey Grade Investments and was parked at the company’s garage along Miles Road.

The court secured the services of a resident to interpret sign language as Nyenyiwe has a speech impairment.

Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene remanded the teenager in custody to 6 July pending bail application.

It is not yet known what Nyenyiwe had gone to do in Kazungula.

7 July, 2021 17:22

An unlicensed 17-year-old boy left the Victoria Falls community gobsmacked after reportedly breaking into a parked 22-tonne haulage truck during the night and drove away.

Petros Nyenyiwe, who is originally from Gokwe, stole the truck on Saturday night and drove it to Kazungula border, close to 100km away and was intercepted by police on his way back to Victoria Falls, leading to his arrest.

A motorist who was driving along the same road on Sunday informed the owner, one Tinashe Manyawu after noticing the truck and that was how he realised that the truck had been stolen.

He was later taken to court facing theft and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent charges.

The Forden truck belongs to Honey Grade Investments and was parked at the company’s garage along Miles Road.

The court secured the services of a resident to interpret sign language as Nyenyiwe has a speech impairment.

Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene remanded the teenager in custody to 6 July pending bail application.

It is not yet known what Nyenyiwe had gone to do in Kazungula.