Mob assaults Chief Murinye at funeral

Zim Now Writer

A mob of villagers allegedly assaulted Chief Murinye, Ephias Munodawafa yesterday, accusing him of refusing them permission to bury a deceased relative at a place of their choice in his area.

The livid mob charged at Chief Murinye and assaulted him severely with open hands and clenched fists, forcing to him flee.

They were allegedly miffed by the chief‘s refusal to bury a relative at a place Chief Murinye and his ruling court deemed sacred.

Three police details tried to stop the marauding mob from manhandling and bashing the chief but their efforts failed as they were hugely outnumbered.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, the mob comprising even women, could be seen mercilessly charging at the cornered chief, who had to flee and at one time picked stones to try and scare away the daring mob.

Murinye confirmed the incident, saying it was motivated by boundary disputes with his counterpart, Chief Mugabe.

“Yes, we were attacked by the in-laws of village head Zindoga and some from the Chikarudzo area. There are a lot of lies and conspiracy theories coming being said but the truth of the matter is that we went there to stop them from burying their relative at a sacred place we even gave them an alternative place but they refused.

“People from the Mugabe area are behind this, they want to cause chaos and encroach into my area. They are even going as far as involving political figures but this is my area; no one from Mugabe has a right over my area,” said Chief Murinye.

However, Chief Mugabe, born Matubede Mudavanhu, denied the allegations and had no kind words for Chief Murinye whom he counter-accused of encroaching into his area.

“Iye Murinye ndiye akatovakira kumhiri kwangu, anofanira kutobva, ibenzi remunhu. Zvezvavakaitirana parufu handinei nazvo ndiri kutozvihwawo izvezvi. (He is the one who encroached into my area. Whatever hapopened at the funeral is none of my business, I am only hearing it now),” fumed Chief Mugabe.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was yet to receive the report.

However, a police report was reportedly made at Masvingo Rural Police Station and the accused were expected to appear in court today.

Masvingo police said they were still to get full circumstances of the case.