A Gokwe pastor, Tapiwa Ziyambi (37), was stabbed to death on Sunday after he reprimanded a villager for drinking beer at a funeral church service.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspects in the pastor’s murder are Leon Muringi and Pritchard Muringi who are still at large. Police said in a statement on Wednesday:
Police in Gokwe are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Leon Muringi and Pritchard Muringi, both of Njikeni village, Nembudziya, in connection with a case of murder and attempted murder which occurred on May 5 this year in Dzingisai village.
ZRP spokesperson in Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident to NewsDay.
He said Ziyambi, of Dzingisai village under Chief Chireya, died after he was stabbed with a knife in the back allegedly by Pritchard.
He had rebuked Pritchard for drinking beer during the church-led funeral service.
Ziyambi’s two brothers, Tererai (32) and Shepherd (35) were also struck with a machete by Pritchard’s sibling, Leon, and are in serious condition at Gokwe District Hospital. Said Mahoko:
It is alleged that Ziyambi, who was in the company of his two brothers, Tererai (32) and Shepherd (35) of village Dzingisai, headman Chikore under Chief Chireya in Nembudziya, Gokwe, were conducting a church service at a funeral in the village.
According to reports, Ziyambi saw Leon and Pritchard, who were among the mourners, drinking beer and cautioned them. This did not go down well with the suspects.
Mahoko said that after the funeral, the three Ziyambi brothers met the Muringi siblings along a footpath where a confrontation ensued.
Leon allegedly attacked Tererai with a machete, and also stabbed Tapiwa in the back when he tried to intervene. Tapiwa died on the spot.
Leon alleged stabbed Shepherd all over the body with a knife as well.
Tapiwa’s body was ferried to the Gokwe District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.