Jealousy over ex-girlfriend ends in bloodshed
ZVISHAVANE – Edwin Muchekayawa, a Zvishavane resident has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for fatally striking Passmore Shumba (25) with an axe in a jealous rage over Shumba’s marriage to his ex-girlfriend.
The accused who was (21) at the time of the offence, appeared before the Gweru High Court yesterday to face murder charges.
The State alleges that on August 19, 2023, around 2300 hours, Muchekayawa proceeded to the now-deceased Shumba’s homestead. Upon arrival, the accused person knocked on the window and called out the deceased’s name.
The court heard that after the call, the deceased emerged to see who was calling him, and was immediately struck in the ribs by a stone fired from a catapult by the accused person.
The accused person fled, leaving Shumba unaware of who had struck him.
The next morning at 0700 hours, Tawanda Shumba, Chengeto Nyadzo, and the now-deceased followed footprints to identify Shumba’s attacker from the night before.
It is alleged that the spoor led the quartet to the accused person’s homestead where they threatened to report him to the headman if he continued his actions.
The court heard that as the four men left Muchekayawa’s homestead, the accused person armed himself with an axe and chased them.
The quartet scattered in separate directions, however, the now-deceased tripped and fell and the accused seized the opportunity to strike him once with an axe, ultimately leading to his death.
The accused fled the scene immediately, leaving Shumba lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
The incident was reported to the police, resulting in the arrest of the accused person.
