The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata and Liberty Dube
HOMICIDE detectives in Mutare have arrested seven suspects in connection with Sunday’s cold blooded murder of a rank marshal who was beaten to death by rival colleagues following a gruesome attack over the control of commuter omnibus loading rank.
Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa revealed this week that at least seven suspects were rounded up by the police over the death of Josphat Munyoro (30) of Hobhouse 2.
Munyoro died upon admission at Mutare Provincial Hospital on the same day after he bled profusely from serious injuries he sustained during the attack.
He was heavily assaulted by more than 10 fellow rank marshals who were armed with metal bars and golf clubs.
“So far we have arrested seven suspects who are helping the police with investigations. This is a serious matter and we want to get to the bottom of what really happened. All those who took part in this cold blooded murder must be brought to book,” he said and added:
“The culprits vanished soon after committing the heinous act and some of them are still at large. The incident happened at Hobhouse Rank at around 8pm. This is a very disturbing issue and we will leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits to book and, thus, we are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of some of the fugitives to contact nearest police station.”
A witness who requested anonymity told The Manica Post that the suspects who were numbering up to 15 gathered near Baba Acho Sports Bar at Sakubva Musika where they plotted the attack.
“I sensed danger and I drew closer to the gang to hear what they were up to. One of them spoke loudly saying they should retaliate against the assault on one of their colleagues whom he claimed had been beaten up by rival rank marshals. They were armed to the teeth with metal bars and golf clubs.
“I told them to discard their planned attack but they could not listen. They went on and attacked the other group and some hours later news spread that one of the victims died at hospital,” said the witness.
Sunday’s incident follows unending battles that have become the order of the day at most bus termini in the city as rank marshals fight each other to control lucrative kombi loading spots.
A litany of assault cases, involving dangerous weapons like machetes, are on trial at the Mutare Criminal Courts following incessant scuffles that occurred in recent months as rank marshals clashed.
Several were hospitalised while many sustained permanent injuries in the fights that were eventually suppressed by riot police.
