Mentally challenged man murdered
Victor Sibanda
A 65 year old mentally challenged man from Chisuma village about 25 km from Victoria Falls was last weekend killed by suspected drunk youths at the business centre reportedly without provocation. The suspects are still at large.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Jonah Masuku. Inspector Banda said police in Victoria Falls are investigating the case of murder.
” The murder occurred between the 12th and 13th of August, 2023 at Chisuma village. Allegations are that the deceased Jonah Masuku was found lying unconscious about 40m from a foot path. He was rushed to Chisuma clinic by a good Samaritan, unfortunately he passed on the same day,” said Banda adding that indications at the crime scene suggest that the deceased was murdered.
” As the police we urge citizens to assist us in investigating this case. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects should advice the nearest police station. Police in Matabeleland North will leave no stone unturned until the family of the deceased get justice. Those who choose violence will certainly face the full wrath of the law,” said Inspector Banda.
Sources at Chisuma Village claim that the mentally challenged man was stoned to death by three youths from BH 126 who had an altercation with a fellow patron at the local beer garden.
“The youths from 126 came to drink beer at Chisuma Business Centre. At night, the drunk youths fought a fellow patron who later fled to safety. To vent their anger, the suspects turned on the deceased who sat calmly by the bar. After they hit him, he fell unconscious and the suspects dragged him and later dumped him along a footpath to his family homestead and disappeared into the darkness ,” said a source who requested anonymity.
Chisuma Village has been experiencing murder and other cases of violence for some time. About five weeks ago, two men were allegedly shot and killed by army officers on allegations that they tried to disarm the soldiers at Chisuma bar. In 2019, a man killed his cousin in cold blood for dating his wife. Murder is a serious crime which may attract death penalty upon conviction.
