Mazowe – Police have launched a murder investigation following the mysterious death of a Gokwe man who was found brutally slain in a shallow trench near a tuckshop in Chiweshe Village, Jumbo, in the early hours of July 2, 2025.
The deceased, 45-year-old Lazarus Mangezi from Chief Sahi area in Gokwe, had been working as a blaster at the Bvocha Mining Syndicate in the Mazowe mining belt. On the evening of July 1, at around 10 PM, Mangezi reportedly left his workplace intending to retrieve his cellphone, which had been left to charge at a local tuckshop earlier that day.
According to sources close to the matter, the tuckshop operator, identified as Anesu Sithole, allegedly refused to return the phone to Mangezi. Sithole insisted that the phone could only be collected by the person who had dropped it off—Zorodzai Mungarati, a 34-year-old woman from Epworth, who is believed to have some personal connection to the victim.
It was after this refusal that things took a dark turn. Witnesses reported hearing raised voices and a scuffle outside the tuckshop shortly after Mangezi’s arrival. Some said they saw two unidentified men confronting Mangezi and assaulting him under the cover of darkness. Others claimed they were too afraid to intervene, given the violent nature of the altercation.
Tragically, the following morning, Mangezi’s body was discovered by local residents in a trench approximately 50 metres from the tuckshop. He had suffered extensive injuries, with deep wounds visible on his back, face, and shoulder—injuries consistent with a brutal attack.
At the scene, Mangezi was still wearing his work uniform: a sky-blue mining overalls, layered trousers, and a yellow safety helmet. Police later recovered two jackets believed to belong to him from a vehicle parked outside the tuckshop. The discovery of his clothing and the proximity of the body to the shop have raised questions about the nature of the events leading to his death.
Mazowe Murder Mystery: Gokwe Man Found Dead Near Tuckshop After Late-Night Cellphone Visit
The body was transported to Concession District Hospital, where a post-mortem is being conducted to establish the exact cause of death. While the results have not yet been released, initial assessments by responding officers suggest the murder was both premeditated and particularly violent.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has since confirmed the launch of a murder investigation and has appealed to members of the public for information that could assist in identifying the two suspects last seen with Mangezi. No arrests had been made by the time of publication.
Community leaders and law enforcement officials alike have condemned the killing, calling for justice and urging citizens to turn away from violence as a means of resolving disputes.
“This is a senseless and heinous act,” said one senior police official. “There is no place for such brutality in our communities. We are calling on anyone with knowledge of what happened to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical in helping us bring those responsible to justice.”
The incident has left residents of Chiweshe Village shaken, with many expressing fears about rising crime levels in the area, particularly around mining operations and business centres. Some villagers suggested that disagreements over valuables like phones or money are becoming more frequent and, in some cases, deadly.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl about the motive behind the murder. While some believe it may have stemmed from a personal dispute involving the phone or the woman who dropped it off, others suspect a deeper grudge or criminal setup. Police have not ruled out any possibilities and say they are pursuing multiple leads.
As the investigation continues, community members have been urged to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity. Local councillors and civic leaders have also called for improved security in the area, including better lighting and police presence, particularly near business centres that remain open late into the night.
For now, the death of Lazarus Mangezi remains a chilling reminder of how routine disputes can spiral into tragedy. As police work to uncover the truth, his family and friends are left grieving—and demanding justice.
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