Online Reporter
THE ZIMBABWE Republic Police (ZRP) has expressed concern over a growing number of murder cases occurring at beer-drinking spots across the country, where minor disputes are escalating into deadly confrontations.
In a statement on Tuesday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi highlighted a series of violent incidents recorded between 1 and 7 December, involving knives, axes and assaults linked to altercations at bars, bottle stores and night spots.
In Beitbridge, Taurai Hungwe (29) died on 3 December after being stabbed in the chest with an okapi knife during a dispute at a nightclub. The attack occurred in the early hours of 1 December, and the suspect, identified only as Prosper, remains at large.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with murder cases occurring across the country, particularly at beer-drinking sites where petty disputes are escalating into fatal confrontations. On 1st December 2025 at around 0335 hours, Taurai Hungwe (29) was allegedly stabbed once on the chest with an okapi knife by a suspect only identified as Prosper at a night club in Beitbridge following an altercation over an undisclosed issue. The victim was rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries on 3rd December 2025. The suspect is still at large,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
In a separate incident on 4 December, Kudakwashe Mudyanevana (27) was fatally struck on the head with an axe at a bottle store at Claremont Business Centre in Fort Rixon. Police say the suspect, known as Tshuks, attacked patrons alongside four accomplices before striking the victim. Mudyanevana died en route to Filabusi Hospital. All suspects are still on the run.
“On 4th December 2025 at about 2200 hours, Kudakwashe Mudyanevana (27) was struck on the head with an axe by a suspect only known as Tshuks at a bottle store at Claremont Business Centre, Fort Rixon. The suspect, who was in the company of four others, allegedly attacked patrons who were drinking beer at the bottle store before striking the victim. Kudakwashe Mudyanevana died while being ferried to Filabusi Hospital. The suspects are yet to be arrested,” he added.
Another killing occurred on 5 December in Battlefields, where Leonard Chidhoma (45) was assaulted by two unidentified suspects while drinking beer at Chibhawabhawa. The attackers accused him of spreading falsehoods about them. His body was later discovered in his room the following day.
“On 5th December 2025 at around 2045 hours, Leonard Chidhoma (45) was attacked by two unidentified suspects while drinking beer at Chibhawabhawa, Battlefields. The suspects accused the victim of spreading falsehoods about them. The victim’s body was later found lying in his room on 6th December 2025. On 7th December 2025, another murder case was recorded in Bulawayo, where Mongiwethu Godnows Dube (26) was killed after confronting Keith Dube (26) in an attempt to seek revenge for an earlier incident in which Keith Dube had splashed beer on the victim’s friend while they were playing snooker at a sports bar in Magwegwe North,” he said.
Police have urged the public to exercise restraint and resolve disputes peacefully, warning that most of the incidents stem from trivial disagreements that turn violent.
