Crime Reporter
NEIGHBOURS to the slain Joseph Makina from the Kwalu Suburb of Beitbridge said some strangers were seen several times near the deceased’s house at odd times suggesting he may have been a target.
Makina was shot three times, twice in the upper body and once in the head by unknown gunmen who aslo shot and injured his wife before robbing the couple now separated by death of unknown amounts of cash.
They casually walked away into the darkness after their heinous act, leaving Makina in a pool blood and his wife with a wound of a bullet the ripped through under her shoulder.
A neighbour interviewed by Ziyah News Network at the deceased’s home said one day, deep into the night, he saw four strangers walking up and down suspiciously near their houses and dared investigate.
“The person I asked said in Shona he was looking for a lost “push” referring to slide in sandals, to which I further asked why at at that time of the night gecause it was just before midnight last week,” said the neighbour.
“Then another one who was in the bush, slightly further asked if he could help them with a phone light and then I noticed they were three. One was further in the bush,” said the neighbour who asked for anonymity saying he was afraid.
Almost immediately some two men walking with dogs arrived as if patrolling and they also asked what these guys were doing at night. Almost suddenly a fourth person whistled from further in the bush signalling the other three to retreat.
“They walked away into the bush and those with dogs proceeded further into the suburb from Makina’s area, the last row of houses on the road to Makakavhule cemetery.
The same neighbour was to witness the post midnigh assault at Makina’s home from his own residence and also counted the number of attackers as four posted at different places during their raid.
“Two stood outside while two attacked the deceased and his family. They fired four times with what sounded a powerful firearm and I think police picked a similar number of cartridges. It was frightening and I scurried for cover just from the sounds. I left my room and went to a housemate who also was awake. When they walked awy we went to seek help,” he said.
“Makina’s wife was injured and outside and we thought he had fled but the persistent cry of his child made us check the house and there he was eagle-sprawled face downwards in a pool of blood,” said the neighbour describing their tones as Ndebele like although later they spoje in Venda and Shona to the pair with dogs.
Makina
“I touched his body and there was no heartbeat. Some security guards who arrived at the scene but had remained in their car, seemingly afraid, later came and also confirmed our fears rhat Makina was no more,” he said.
A neighbour brought his car used to ferry Priscillah Makina, the wife, to hospital while police hours later picked the remains of Makina, 32, and survived by his wife at three children.
“Startled by the movements I asked if they were looking
Makina was a known member of the Apostolic sects and on Wednesday his fellow churchmates including Bishop Edgar Maireva atte ded his day-long prayer gathering.
“We are shocked. Its something we cannot get used to. I have been a victim of an armes robbery myself. Its a painful experience,” he said.
An uncle to Makina, Okay Makina who also lives in the same neighbourhood said there is need for increased police patrols in their area.
“Joseph will be laid to rest in Changadzi, just after Birchenough in Chimanimani. We will leave soon after his post-mortem which could not be done today,” the deceased’s other uncle Takesure Makina said.
The officer commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube said he was on leave but had been briefed on the murder and shooting.
“We are investigating and we will brief you of any developments. We will do everything and will bring the culprits to book. You are aware we have arrested many armed robbers recently and our teams are on the ground,” said Ncube.
Beitbridge, on the edge of the Limpopo River which is a corridor of cross-border crime, has of late been rocked by armed robberies and he asked residents to report any suspicious movements.
It is believed criminals are engaged in cross-border criminal escapades taking advantage of the many illegal crossing points between Zimbabwe and South Africa.