Edgar Masendeke
| Edgar Masendeke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | May 31, 2002 Chikurubi Maximum Prison |
| Cause of death | Death Sentence - Hanging |
| Other names | Edmund |
| Known for | Futigive Criminal |
| Home town | Gutu |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Relatives | Brothers: Takawira, Edward, Edson, Enerst, and Andrew |
Edmund Edgar Masendeke was a convicted murderer. He is most known for being a fugitive along with his partner in crime Stephen Chidhumo. He was arrested in 1997 after having been on the run for 2 years, committing crimes such as rape, murder, robbery and others. He was sentenced to death and was eventually executed on 31 May 2002.
Background
Masendeke's home was in Kwekwe. He was described as having been a petty criminal as a young man. His father, Timothy Masendeke, who was an entrepreneur with grocery shops in Gutu and Kwekwe is said to have been abusive often beating up his children. He was also said to have been a womaniser and that he had more than 20 children with different women. As a young boy, Masendeke is said to have easily picked up fights.[1]
Arrest in 1995
In 1995, Masendeke murdered a woman in Masvingo and stole her car.[1]
Partnering Chidhumo & Being Fugitive
While he was at Mutimurefu Remand Prison in Masvingo, Masendeke met Stephen Chidhumo in 1995. Together, they planned and made an escape from prison in November 1995 along with Langton Moses Zano, Langton Charumbira, and Jameson Maverudze Musara. They overpowered and forced prison guards into the cells before walking away.
Masendeke and Chidhumo went on a series of armed robberies and murders in Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland Provinces. They were involved in several encounters with the police but managed to evade arrest. The duo would also go to Mozambique during that time.[2]
At one point Masendeke accused his uncle in Gutu of selling him out to the police and severely assaulted and shot at his finger. Months later, Masendeke robbed him stole a television set, wall clock and solar panels. He then kidnapped and later released the uncle’s worker.
In 1997, Chidhumo was re-arrested in Mozambique. Masendeke was not arrested. In August 1997, Chidhumo, however, managed to escape from Chikurubi Maximum Prison where he had been jailed and rejoined Masendeke in Mozambique.
Re-arrest in 1997
Following a series of operations by the ZRP one of them particualrly called "Operation Masendeke", he was arrested on his way to Chimoio near Susunhenga in Mozambique. Chidhumo was arrested two weeks later. At age 23 then, Masendeke pleaded guilty to 38 charges ranging from rape to murder and was sentenced to death.
Trivia
- Masendeke's brother Takawira is also a convicted criminal having been jailed at age 17. In 2013 however, he converted to Christianity and was training to be a pastor in Harare. [3]
- His other brothers Edward, Edson, Enerst, and Andrew are also convicted criminals.
Death
Masendeke was executed at Chikurubi Maximum Prison on 31 May 2002.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tendai Chara Masendeke: It runs in the family, Sunday Mail, Published: 9 July 2017, Retrieved: 30 May 2018
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedzrp - ↑ Of life under Chidhumo, Masendeke shadows, and turning to God, NewsDay, Published: 30 Oct 2013, Retrieved: 30 May 2018
