Man kills 7-yr-old for phone charger
Sadc Organ Troika called upon all stakeholders in Zimbabwe to settle the political challenges through peaceful means.”
African Union chairperson and Guinea President Alpha Conde said: “The AU immediately calls for the restoration of constitutional order and calls on all stakeholders to show responsibility and restraint, to ensure respect for lives, fundamental freedoms and integrity of Zimbabwe. We demand respect for the Constitution, a return to the constitutional order and we will never accept the military coup d’etat.”
African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat said they were closely following developments.
He urged all stakeholders to address the current situation in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and relevant instruments of the AU.
Mr Mahamat said it was crucial that the crisis be resolved in a manner that promotes democracy and human rights, as well as the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe.
He added that the AU was working closely with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the leaders of the region to come up with a workable solution in Zimbabwe.
China also dismissed reports that Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantino Chiwenga, who was in the Asian country, had visited to discuss a military coup in the country. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Gen Chiwenga’s visit was a “normal military exchange.” the military to continue to exercise restraint bearing in mind the duty of the State and every person to respect, protect, promote and fulfill fundamental rights and freedoms as provided for in Section 44 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe in particularly the sanctity of life.
“Finally, the ZHRC encourages that there be quick return to constitutionalism and democracy so that people of Zimbabwe can continue to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms.”
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said his party appreciates, “the assurances and the commitment to peace and the sanctity of human life by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, including respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.” A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy from Fort Rixon was allegedly strangled to death by a man who sneaked into his bedroom in the middle of the night after he had earlier during the day refused to give him a cellphone charger to charge his phone.
Nqobizitha Zulu died on the spot when Kelvin Nyandeni of Insango village, under Chief Jahana allegedly sneaked into his bedroom and strangled him at around at around 1 AM on Wednesday.
Nyandeni escaped when Proud Tshuma, a herd boy who was sleeping in the same room with the minor, woke up.
When family members rushed into the bedroom, Zulu was already dead.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident and said the suspect had been arrested and was assisting police with investigations.
“I can confirm the arrest of a man who allegedly strangled a minor following some unclear misunderstanding. He is assisting police with investigations,” he said.
The boy’s body was ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for post mortem.
A source who preferred anonymity said Nyandeni had earlier gone to the homestead when Zulu was home alone, and allegedly asked to charge his cellphone there. The boy allegedly refused to help him. “The boy, who was alone at home, refused. After midnight, Nyandeni returned to that home and attacked the minor with his bare hands. We are in shock and disbelief as we are trying to figure out the main reason for this attack.
“Was it just the cellphone charging issue or there is more to it? We are also wondering what grudge a 22-year-old man could have been holding against a seven-year-old to the extent of strangling him,” said the source.
“When we got word of what had happened, as a community we quickly embarked on a search for the suspected killer, whom we found relaxed at his homestead and we apprehended him. He was arrested and we want him to give us a proper and reasonable explanation for what he has done.”
Chief Jahana expressed concern with the increase in cases of murder and assault in Fort Rixon.
“I am very much worried about the increased cases of violence in Fort Rixon. I am urging villagers to put an end to such behaviour because it only lands them in jail. People should learn to live in peace and harmony. When there are misunderstandings, they should learn to consult and engage third parties like family members, police, community leaders and churches,” said Chief Jahana.—@winnie_masara
“What I can tell you is that his visit was a normal military exchange as agreed by the two countries,” he said.
Zimbabweans, churches, trade unions, business community and opposition political parties have welcomed the intervention by the uniformed forces saying it was done in the spirit of national interest and security.
Legal experts weighed in saying the exercise was done in accordance with the dictates and tenets of the Constitution and in respect of Sadc and AU security protocols.
They also applauded the fact that the intervention was done in a way that prevented bloodshed, promotes peace and national development.