Tragedy struck thrice in Zimbabwe recently, with three separate stabbing incidents resulting in fatalities.
In Harare, an unnamed man was found critically injured along Nigel Phillips Road in Eastlea and later succumbed to his injuries. In a separate incident, a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer was murdered by her uncle in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South.
The Harare incident, reported by police on X (formerly Twitter), occurred on 8 January. The victim was discovered in a critical condition by police but died before reaching a hospital.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and assist with their investigations. No further details regarding the circumstances of the stabbing or the identity of the assailant have been released at this time.
The second incident, a far more complex and disturbing case, involves the murder of ZPCS officer Priscilla Tshuma. On Christmas Day, Ms Tshuma was fatally stabbed by her uncle, Khuliso Tshuma (35), in what police suspect was an act of revenge. The attack took place around 8am at the family home.
Chief Superintendent Cabinet Thomas, Officer Commanding Police in Bulilima-Mangwe District, detailed the gruesome attack.
“The suspect used an Okapi knife to stab the deceased twice, once in the neck and once on the arm. Priscilla was sweeping the house while the suspect was drinking beer on the veranda. Without warning, he attacked her,” he explained.
Ms Tshuma’s grandmother, Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu, desperately attempted to provide first aid, but her efforts were unsuccessful. Khuliso fled the scene but was apprehended later that day, approximately seven kilometres away. The Okapi knife used in the attack was recovered by the police.
The investigation revealed a chilling history between Khuliso and his niece. Chief Supt Thomas stated, “We arrested the suspect some seven kilometres away from the scene of the crime. Investigations revealed that the suspect is an ex-convict who had been incarcerated for raping the now deceased.”
Khuliso had been convicted of raping Ms Tshuma nine years prior and sentenced to prison in 2016. He was released in April of this year under a Presidential amnesty programme.
The ZPCS expressed its condolences in a statement released by Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi.
“As Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Tshuma family and loved ones during this difficult time. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, and we are committed to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to bring the culprit to book,” she said.
“Our thoughts are with the Tshuma family and the entire ZPCS family as we seek to find answers and bring justice to those affected.” Ms Tshuma’s funeral took place on 30 December.
In a third incident in Gwanda, police are investigating another murder. An unnamed man was stabbed in the thigh with a sharp object at Njanji Business Centre in Spitzkop North. The reason for the attack remains undisclosed.
The victim was found in a pool of blood and rushed to a hospital in Gwanda, where he died upon admission. Police are currently investigating this case and seeking information from the public. Chief Supt Thomas urged the public to foster peace and harmony, particularly during the festive season, and appealed for information on any outstanding criminal cases.
