Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
The death of a 33-year-old man in Mufakose in a suspected murder case has raised concern within the suburb as residents blame drug and substance abuse for the violent crimes that have been recorder in the area within the last two weeks.
The incident comes barely a week after another man from Mufakose allegedly murdered his mother in cold blood.
33-year-old Mike Sallimon was stoned to death by his colleague near the Lyton flyover on Thursday following an altercation over the day’s earnings which they had received as commuter omnibus touts.
“Mike was a tout and the person who killed him was his closest friend. They actually stayed together,” a neighbour said.
“I received the news of his death while I was in Chivhu where I live. I heard they had a misunderstanding over the cash they received as the day’s earnings,” the deceased’s mother, Mrs Sophia Sallimon, said.
“They were supposed to get $4.50 each, but the friend wanted $5. He was agitated and started attacking my son with a brick leading to his death. I’m hurting inside, I haven’t yet come to terms over my son’s death.”
“We are deeply saddened by our friend’s death. Every day, he passed through our workplace at the rank. We are indeed concerned over rampant drug abuse in this area,” a community member said.
“We appeal to responsible authorities to deal with the drug scourge in Mufakose because it’s being done in broad daylight.
“Here in Mufakose, we are saying no to drug abuse. We are tired of drugs and some children are walking naked. The area is not safe, especially at night. People are losing their belongings as the drug victims run amok, snatching anything they can get hold of. The drug peddlers are known, but they threaten anyone who wants to expose them saying we will kidnap your children,” another member of the community said.
Residents in Mufakose are fearing the worst and are calling on authorities to clamp down on drug peddlers selling the illicit substances within their community.
