Zim ‘Peacemaker’ cop murdered in Bulawayo

Lloyd Ndemo

Elliot Chimera (30), an off-duty police officer was gruesomely murdered by three unknown assailants who are still at large after he tried to restrain the three suspects from harassing his friend.

Police have since instituted investigations into his killing and many other killings of members of the police in the country.

“Police in Zimbabwe are investigating three cases of murder which happened in Bulawayo and Midlands from 15 to 19 March which included members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

“On 19 March a Gokwe police officer who was in the company of his friend was stabbed with a knife on the thigh and died on the spot while his friend was stabbed on the shoulder and right thigh before being ferried to hospital by well-wishers.”

According to police sources the officer, who was in the company of his friend Fanuel Chiriro was followed by three men, namely Jephat Manoti alias Kedha, Bruce Nzungu and one unidentified suspect who said to the two, “vanhu vemutemo murikutinetsa,” meaning “law enforcement agents, you are troubling us,” before stabbing them.

One of the accused persons stabbed Fanuel Chiriro on the right thigh and also on the left shoulder and they disappeared from the scene.

Meanwhile Honest Mbulavi, a 20 year old man from Kwekwe was shot and killed by a police officer who intended to arrest him in connection with cases of murder and robbery.

National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The victim resisted lawful arrest and attacked three officers with a home made knife after initially hiding in his bedroom. He was shot once and succumbed to the injuries.”

He urged members of the public to respect law enforcement agents and not to resist lawful arrests.

“Members of the public are warned against resisting arrest and attacking police officers during the discharge of their duties,” he said.