Soldier runs amok with AK47, guns down wife and her two sisters in Bulawayo

By Noel Munjanja

The Zimbabwe National Army yesterday confirmed that one of its members shot and killed his wife and her two sisters on Wednesday night in New Magwegwe, Bulawayo.

Private Chapeyama Carlos, who has since been arrested, also shot his 18-month-old baby and seriously injured the minor before turning the AK47 rifle on himself, with the intention of committing suicide.

In a statement, Director Army Public Relations Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore explained the circumstances around the shooting incident.

“The circumstances of the unfortunate shoot-out are that a member of the Zimbabwe National Army, Private Chapeyama Carlos, had a long-standing dispute with his wife, the now deceased Archly Phiri (21),” he said.

“On the day in question, the ZNA member had been assigned night guard duties at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation transmitter at Guinea Fowl, Gweru. He then finished his duty and sneaked out of the camp with his service rifle.”

Carlos travelled to Bulawayo with an AK47 folding-butt rifle concealed in a bag.

“Private Chapeyama went straight to his in-laws’ house in New Magwegwe, where he found his wife together with her two sisters, the now deceased Rita Nkomo (23) and Nkosivhumile Ncube (16) plus his child Tlowi Chapeyama (18 months),” said Lt-Col Makotore.

“He then randomly opened fire on the three sisters, killing them on the spot. The child survived with serious gunshot wounds. He tried to commit suicide by turning the rifle on himself, but was only seriously injured. The perpetrator Private Chapeyama is now detained under heavy Military Police guard at Mpilo Hospital. The child is admitted at the same hospital.”

Lt-Col Makotore said the ZNA was shocked by the incident.

“The entire rank and file of the Zimbabwe National Army is shocked and saddened by this unfortunate incident,” he said.

“The army authorities are doing everything possible to reduce the burden on the grieving families concerning the mourning and burial of the deceased.” The Herald