Love triangle ends in tragedy as Zvishavane man sentenced for murder

ZIMSPHERE 

GWERU – A tragic altercation over a woman resulted in the conviction of Edwin Muchekayawa by the High Court in Gweru. The 21-year-old (at the time the offence was committed) was found guilty of murdering 25-year-old Passmore Shumba in Zvishavane.

The incident unfolded on the night of August 19, 2023, when Muchekayawa went to Shumba's homestead at around 11 PM. 

Shumba was married to Muchekayawa's former girlfriend. 

Upon arrival, Muchekayawa knocked on the window, calling for Shumba. 

When Shumba emerged, Muchekayawa used a catapult to strike him with a stone on the ribs before fleeing the scene. 

Shumba was unable to identify his assailant.

At dawn, Shumba, accompanied by Tawanda Shumba, Chengeto Nyadzo, and the deceased, tracked the footprints leading to Muchekayawa's home. 

Upon confronting him, they threatened to report him to the headman. 

As they departed, Muchekayawa armed himself with an axe and pursued them. 

The group scattered, but the deceased fell, allowing Muchekayawa to catch up and fatally strike him on the head with the axe.

Muchekayawa fled, leaving the victim in a pool of blood. The crime was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.

Muchekayawa was subsequently sentenced to 24 years in prison for the murder.