A Chitungwiza woman is recovering in hospital after a horrific attack at Gail Court, a notorious apartment building along Harare’s Samora Machel Avenue.
Memory Moyo, from Unit B in Seke, Chitungwiza, was stabbed seven times and robbed in the early hours of January 2nd, just after midnight, a day after New Year’s Day celebrations. The incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the building, known for its high crime rate.
Moyo had been visiting a friend at Flat Number 14, Gail Court, when she encountered her attacker, Simbarashe Mufandaedza. The details of the attack are harrowing. According to court testimony, Mufandaedza produced an Okapi knife and launched a brutal assault.
He stabbed Moyo three times on her left hand and four times on her right leg, inflicting deep cuts. The attack wasn’t just violent; it was also a robbery. Mufandaedza forcibly took Moyo’s Samsung M33 cellphone and US$200 in cash.
Following the attack, Moyo was left for dead, but miraculously survived the ordeal. Her resilience and strength are remarkable, given the severity of her injuries. She is currently receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital, where medical professionals are tending to her deep wounds on her left hand and right leg. The attack underscores the urgent need for increased security measures at Gail Court and in the surrounding area to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Meanwhile, the alleged perpetrator, Simbarashe Mufandaedza, was apprehended at Gail Court shortly after the attack. However, none of the stolen property – the Samsung M33 cellphone and the US$200 – was recovered during the arrest. Mufandaedza appeared in court over the weekend, facing charges of robbery.
The prosecution detailed the events of the night, outlining the brutal stabbing and the theft of Moyo’s belongings. The court heard how Mufandaedza’s actions left Moyo with severe injuries, requiring hospitalisation and ongoing medical care.
The case has brought renewed attention to the safety concerns surrounding Gail Court. Residents and especially prostitutes who sell lula lula along Samora Machel avenue have long expressed anxieties about the high crime rates in the area, calling for increased police patrols and improved security measures to protect residents and visitors.
