In a bizarre turn of events at a nightclub in Chikanga’s TM area in Mutare, revellers were able to retrieve their stolen cellphones from the knee-high socks of a deceased thief. The incident occurred in the early hours of last Friday night when a fatal assault took place after the thief refused to share the stolen loot with his colleague.
The victim, identified as McDonald Muparutsa, aged 31 and hailing from New Chisamba, Sakubva, lost his life at the hands of his colleague, Lovemore Biggie Nyanzou, aged 26, from Muchena section of the same suburb. According to Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, the acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Nyanzou allegedly murdered Muparutsa after the latter declined to share the stolen bounty.
The incident unfolded at Rio Night Club in Chikanga TM area. Witnesses reported that the two men had been drinking together when Nyanzou observed Muparutsa snatching a cellphone from a patron’s pocket. Nyanzou followed him outside the club and demanded a portion of the loot, which Muparutsa refused to give. In a fit of rage, Nyanzou head-butted Muparutsa, causing him to collapse. Seizing the opportunity, Nyanzou fled the scene.
However, quick-thinking onlookers gave chase and managed to apprehend Nyanzou. When the police arrived, they discovered Muparutsa’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. Nyanzou was subsequently arrested for murder.
What made this incident even more astonishing was the discovery made by several nightclub-goers who had lost their cellphones. As they took turns dialling their numbers using other people’s phones, they were stunned to hear the ringing coming from Muparutsa’s socks. Mr. Lawrence Zvamunongoda, a witness at the scene, recounted the shocking scene: “It was shocking to see cellphones being retrieved from the deceased person’s socks.
“Following Muparutsa’s murder, police attended the scene. People who were enjoying themselves in other night clubs around the area rushed to witness the incident.
“Those who had lost their phones during that night, dialed their numbers using other people’s phones. They heard the phones ringing from Muparutsa’s socks. I noticed five cellphones being recovered from the socks.”
