Chikombedzi is grappling with a surge in unsettling incidents following two separate stabbing attacks that have left a community in fear. In the latest episode, a 19-year-old man, identified as Liberty Sibanda, has been arrested in connection with a double murder that occurred during an all-night prayer vigil.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), through Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, confirmed Sibanda’s arrest. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Liberty Sibanda in connection with a double murder that occurred at Mashavele Village, Chief Gezani, Chikombedzi, on August 3, 2025,” said Det-Insp Muteweri in a statement.
The horrific incident unfolded at Mashavele Village, where community members had gathered for an all-night prayer vigil to honour a deceased relative. According to police reports, the victims were warming themselves by a fireplace when Sibanda allegedly “bolted out of his room” and attacked one of the worshippers.
“As the victims were warming themselves at the fireplace, the suspect bolted out of his room before stabbing one of the victims once on the neck with a sharp object in unclear circumstances,” Det-Insp Muteweri explained.
In a display of courage, two other attendees attempted to intervene and stop the assault. However, they too were allegedly stabbed by Sibanda. “In an act of bravery, two other victims attempted to rescue the victim from further attack but were each stabbed once in the back forcing them to back off,” said Muteweri.
The injured were immediately rushed to hospital. Tragically, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries. The other two were treated and later discharged.
Sibanda appeared at Chikombedzi Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was formally charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 21, 2025.
“He appeared at Chikombedzi Magistrates Court on Thursday where he was remanded in custody to August 21, 2025,” confirmed Det-Insp Muteweri.
The ZRP has urged the public to refrain from resorting to and seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to urge members of the public to refrain from the use of and find amicable ways to resolve their differences,” Muteweri stated.
This incident comes on the heels of another disturbing event in Chikombedzi, where a funeral gathering was targeted by a knife-wielding assailant.
On 3 August 2025, a funeral in Mukuwo Village turned into a scene of after an unknown suspect stormed the gathering and fatally stabbed Sithokozile Siwawa (46). The attacker then proceeded to injure three other mourners who attempted to intervene, before fleeing into the night.
Police, in a statement posted on social media platform X, confirmed that the suspect remains at large. “An unknown suspect stormed a funeral gathering and stabbed Sithokozile Siwawa (46) to death. The suspect then stabbed three other complainants who were trying to rescue the victim and fled into the darkness,” the statement read.
The injured mourners were transported to various medical facilities, including Chikombedzi Mission Hospital and Masvingo General Hospital. The body of the deceased was taken to Chiredzi General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the funeral attacker and are appealing to the public for any information that may lead to their arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station.
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