A TOTAL of 14 people were murdered in the country last week and the Midlands Province had the highest number of four.

Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces did not record murders during the week.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said the 18 to 35 age group committed the most murders countrywide.

She said the country had been recording about four murders weekly from the beginning of the year.

She said the week ending December 15 had seen an unprecedented rise to 14.

“We’ve on average four murder cases per week but the week under review had a staggering 14 cases,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police were worried about the increase.

“The above murder cases were committed in the following provinces: Midlands, four, Harare, three, Mashonaland Central, two, Masvingo, two, Manicaland, one, Mashonaland East, one, Mashonaland West, one,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said an analysis they conducted revealed that the age group that is committing most crimes which include drug abuse, drunken driving, driving without licences and robberies is the 18-35 age group.

“Causes ranged from mere misunderstandings, fights over girlfriends and in Gweru, a delinquent son even murdered his mother. In another case, the deceased was located in a cemetery with deep cuts on the neck and a deformed skull. The left ear was missing and the head was completely skinned,” she said.

“Most of these disagreements or conflicts result in domestic violence which later turn into murder cases. People no longer respect the sanctitity of life,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Meanwhile, Snr Asst Comm Charamba has confirmed the murder of two people by a mentally challenged man at Village 1, Masimini, Kennelworth, Inyathi, on December 16.

“On the said date at around 10AM the suspect was served breakfast by his mother in a kitchen hut and started eating before washing his hands. His mother reminded him to wash his hands and he suddenly stood up and went outside.

“He returned with a log (about 70cm) and charged towards his mother who tried to run away. The suspect caught up with her and struck her on the head once with the log, she fell down and died instantly,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the suspect then turned to his grandmother who was following behind and struck her with the log once on the head. “She fell down and died on the spot as well,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the suspect picked up a hoe and struck the heads of the two bodies several times.

“He was later arrested and the bodies were taken to Inyathi Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem at United Bulawayo Hospitals,” she said.by Patrick Chitumba
Source: Chronicle