A pall of shock and grief has descended upon Chitungwiza following the sudden death of former Chief Superintendent Francis Matsika, 57, on Monday morning.
The circumstances surrounding his demise have sparked widespread speculation and intrigue, with police launching a full investigation into the tragic incident that claimed the life of their former boss.
The former senior police officer, who had been in a long-term relationship with Blessing Zuva, 45, since 2015, was found lifeless in Zuva’s home in Unit H, Seke, Chitungwiza. The two had been intimate just prior to Matsika’s death, according to a police memorandum.
The memo, released to clarify conflicting social media accounts of the incident, details a disturbing sequence of events. Matsika, who had visited Zuva’s residence at around 10:30 AM on Monday, brought with him a plastic bag containing 10 litres of cooking oil and a pint of milk. He then instructed Zuva to mix the milk with salt before their sexual encounter, citing erectile dysfunction as the reason.
“He arrived with a bag of cooking oil and milk. He told me to mix the milk with salt before we had sex because he had a problem getting it up,” Zuva told investigators.
Following two rounds of strong lula lula, Matsika began to gasp for air and collapsed. Zuva, in a state of panic, rushed to her friend Evelyne Dziva for help. However, by the time they returned, Matsika was unresponsive.
“I was shocked when he started gasping for air. I rushed to my friend Evelyne for help, but by the time we returned, it was too late,” Zuva told the investigators.
The police were immediately notified, and a team from CID Homicide Harare, CID Studios, and CID Scenes of Crime arrived at the scene. They found Matsika lying naked on the bed, covered with a brown blanket. No visible injuries were found on his body, but the pot containing milk residue was taken as evidence.
The cause of Matsika’s death remains unclear, pending a post-mortem examination. However, the unusual concoction consumed by Matsika before the intimate encounter has raised concerns, with investigators exploring whether it may have played a role in his untimely demise.
“The informant indicated that the now deceased arrived at his residence at around 1030 hours with a plastic bag containing 10 litres of cooking oil and one pint of milk. The now deceased then instructed the informant to mix one pint of milk with salt before they had sexual intercourse as he was suffering from erectile dysfunction,” reads part of the police memo.
The memo also highlights the lack of CCTV cameras and a durawall at Zuva’s residence, which could potentially complicate the investigation.
News of Matsika’s death spread like wildfire, attracting a large crowd of curious onlookers outside Zuva’s house. The crowd, consisting of local residents and passers-by, remained at the scene even as police arrived to investigate and carry the body of their former colleague away.
BREAKING NEWS:-
ZRP officer Commanding Chitungwiza Chief Superintendent Matsika died today at girlfriend's house having "SEX",
Jnr officers say, he died spending SADC summit allowance which these jnr officers did not receive as promised. pic.twitter.com/cW30SRh4vP— COZWVA (@cozwva) August 19, 2024
The presence of the crowd added to the tense atmosphere in the usually quiet neighbourhood.
Residents and neighbours expressed disbelief and sorrow at the sudden loss of the former police officer who died during a ‘mjolo’ encounter.
“We are all shocked and saddened by this news. Chief Superintendent Matsika was a respected member of our community. We didn’t think he would die in this manner,” said a female Chitungwiza resident who only identified herself as Mai Arno.
