Zanu PF axe murderer ‘commits suicide’

CHITUNGWIZA – The Zanu PF official who was arrested on Saturday for allegedly axing to death two members of his own party and wounding another, has committed suicide in police cells, police said yesterday.

Proud Mupambwa, the vice chairman for Zanu PF’s Ward 4B, was in police custody facing charges of murdering Lloyd Jamawo (30) and Marko Masenda (37) who were also the party’s local district executive members. He was arrested at the crime scene.

The assailant and his victims were Zanu PF officials who were divided along factional lines.

Mupambwa died yesterday in police holding cells at St Mary’s Police Station. Police spokesperson Charity Charamba confirmed the development, saying investigations into Mupambwa’s death were under way. He was expected to appear in court today.

“Circumstances are that after being arrested, the accused was put in a cell at St Mary’s Police Station where he violently injured himself and was taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital where he was treated and discharged,” said Charamba.

“On being re-detained, Proud Mupambwa revealed that he was thirsty and requested for maheu, which his wife brought.”

Charamba said Mupambwa reportedly told other suspects that he wanted to eat human intestines.

“The accused later passed on in the early hours of 16 November 2015,” she said.

Prior to the alleged commission of the murders, Charamba said, Mupambwa had bade farewell to his wife and shared household property to relatives. She said Mupambwa also told his wife that he was going to die on the day or he would do so in jail.

“Of late, the accused had been exhibiting suicidal tendencies and was expressing concern with the extent of family problems which he alleged were being caused by some relatives who dabbled in witchcraft activities,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Mupambwa’s body has since been taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for post-mortem.