Sydney Mubaiwa
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

SHURUGWI–Police in the Midlands have launched a man-hunt for a Shurugwi artisanal miner who allegedly axed his friend to death after an argument over a pool token.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident at Chinyoka Mine in Shurugwi last week.
He said the fugitive, only identified as Tinashe, allegedly struck Prosper Gumbo with an axe below the left ear and on the left shoulder and ran away while Tinashe left the scene. A misunderstanding over the ownership of a pool token arose, and the two began fighting.
The two were drinking beer and playing snooker at a tuck shop owned by Tapiwa Takavarasha (29).
Takavarasha discovered Gumbo’s lifeless body lying on the ground 30 meters from the tuck shop around 11 pm. He reported the matter to the Police. Gumbo’s body had deep cuts below the left ear and left shoulder. A bloodstained axe was recovered at the scene.
Mahoko appealed to the public to resort to dialogue when misunderstandings arise.
“As Police, we once again take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of dialogue when settling disputes rather than resorting to violence which usually results in loss of lives,” he said.