What began as a kind gesture quickly turned into a tragedy when a 32-year-old man was brutally murdered after stopping to assist a stranded couple with their broken-down car during the early hours of June 29.
Chelesani Moyo, a resident of Falcon Mine Compound, was driving near J Mafuyana Township around 3:30 a.m. when he noticed a Nissan Sunny pulled over on the roadside. The vehicle appeared to be in distress, and a couple—identified as Tinashe Ngwenya and Sinikiwe Ncube—stood nearby, apparently in need of help. Acting out of goodwill, Moyo stopped his vehicle and offered to help push-start t car of the couple.
According to a police report released by local authorities, Moyo’s decision to assist the couple would have fatal consequences. While he was in the process of helping the couple, a group of unidentified attackers emerged from the darkness and descended upon the scene. It remains unclear whether the ambush was premeditated or the result of opportunistic violence.
Chaos quickly unfolded. Moyo, realizing the danger, attempted to flee on foot. Tragically, he collapsed just 100 meters away from where the attack began and succumbed to his injuries. His body was later discovered around 6:00 a.m. by a passerby, who immediately alerted the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Police spokesperson Inspector Dube confirmed that the victim had sustained a severe and fatal head injury, likely caused by a blunt object. “He was identified by family members later that morning,” Dube told reporters during a press briefing. “The nature of the injury suggests a violent confrontation, and we are treating this case as a murder.”
Eyewitness accounts indicate that during the attack, Tinashe Ngwenya attempted to fight off the assailants and protect his partner, Sinikiwe Ncube. In the process, Ngwenya sustained serious injuries to his hands but reportedly managed to wrestle a weapon away from one of the attackers and flee the scene with Ncube. The couple later made their way to a nearby residence to call for help.
The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and police have not ruled out the possibility of a targeted ambush or armed robbery. Investigators are working to determine whether the couple was genuinely stranded or if they may have been used as bait in a planned setup.
Moyo’s death has sent shockwaves through the local community, especially in Falcon Mine Compound and surrounding areas. Known by friends and family as a kind and helpful individual, Moyo’s tragic death has raised serious concerns about public safety and the risks of stopping to help coupless—especially during late-night hours.
Residents have expressed both sorrow and fear in the wake of the incident. “He was only trying to help someone. He had no idea it would cost him his life,” said one neighbor. “Now, many of us are afraid to stop and help anyone at night. You just don’t know what’s real anymore.”
Local leaders and law enforcement have echoed those concerns, urging caution but also calling for unity and cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Inspector Dube appealed to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area that night to come forward. “We need the public’s help to ensure that those responsible are arrested and held accountable,” he said.
Man Murdered After Stopping To Help A Stranded Couple
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have also increased patrols in the area and encouraged residents to avoid traveling alone at night when possible, particularly in isolated or poorly lit areas.
Meanwhile, Moyo’s family is left to mourn the sudden and senseless loss of a man who, by all accounts, died trying to do the right thing. “He had a big heart,” a cousin said during a vigil held at the family home. “He always believed in helping others. That’s the kind of person he was. We are devastated.”
As investigations continue, the community is grappling with the larger implications of the attack—a tragic reminder that even the most well-intentioned actions can carry risk in an unpredictable world.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist in identifying the attackers to contact their nearest police station or use the ZRP anonymous tip-off platforms. No arrests have been made at the time of writing.
Source- iHarare
