Night club murder sucks in 3 soldiers

By Samuel Kadungure

A RUSAPE patron, who was attacked and left with intestines in the open after a vicious nightly brawl with three assailants – believed to be soldiers – at a club in Vengere died a few hours after being admitted in hospital. 

Police had to be at their best to apprehend his suspected murderers.

Blessward Shenje, of NE 207, Rusape was rushed to Parirenyatwa via Rusape General Hospital and died on admission.

Police had to rely more on the viciousness of their dog as the three suspects resisted arrest in a fracas that rocked Desim Nite Club (Neighbours), in Vengere, last Friday around 11pm.

The suspects, Whatmore Chikukwa (24), Simon Cheziya, of House Number 314 A, Vengere and Courage Kapfanya (22), of NE 323, Vengere, Rusape, allegedly proved to be tricky customers for the police, but ultimately could not stand the vicious bite of the police dog.

Normalcy returned to the club after police, sensing danger, unleashed a dog to cow the defiant trio into submission. The vicious dog proved more than a match as Chikukwa attempted to scale the joint’s backyard precast wall to escape arrest.

Chikukwa is recovering at Rusape General Hospital where he is admitted under the Zimbabwe Prison and Correction Services (ZPCS) guard.

Shenje’s body was still in Harare and a post mortem was expected to be performed on Tuesday. Witnesses told The Manica Post that Shenje had a torrid time at the hands of the three assailants who mobbed and attacked him with fists and empty bottles.

“They waylaid him about 100m away from the club and stabbed him in the stomach using a sharp bottle. He was battling to contain the intestines that were protruding through the opening. He was rushed to hospital by a taxi.

“After leaving him for dead, the three went back to enjoy themselves in the club and before being rounded up by the police. They resisted arrest and police had to let loose the dog which attacked Chikukwa on the leg as he attempted to jump the backyard pre-cast wall. The guy was mauled,” said a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the incident, but refused to comment. Insp Kakohwa instead referred further questions to his superior and national spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, who was unreachable at the time of going to Press.

The three suspects appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro last Saturday. They were remanded in custody to September 11.

Mr Mutiro advised the three, who were self actors, to apply for bail at the High Court. Mr Tafara Chawatama prosecuted. Mr Chawatama told the court that the three arrived at the nite joint at around 11pm and asked the security guard to identify Dongo Sawmill Football Club supporters who had allegedly assaulted some soldiers the previous weekend.

After failing to locate any, the trio went into the club to enjoy themselves.

“After five minutes, the three had a scuffle with Shenje. They dragged him out of the club and attacked him with fists, booted feet and empty bottles. The guard tried to restrain them, but in vain,” said Mr Chawatama.

“After the guard’s intervention, the three left the club and proceeded to a nearby drinking hole and returned after a few minutes. They bumped into Shenje who demanded to know why they had assaulted him. They started beating him again.

Shenje ran towards Max Village with the three in hot pursuit. They then stabbed and ripped open his stomach using a broken bottle. His intestines were protruding and was struggling to contain them until he was rushed to Rusape General Hospital by a well-wisher,” said Mr Chawatama. Manica Post