HARARE – Police have reported 47 murder cases which occurred countrywide during the one-week period starting 20 December to 26 December 2024.

In one of the incidents, a 22-year-old Harare man beat up his elderly grandmother to death for not giving him a Christmas present, according to a statement by police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Nyathi identified the suspect as Nihipalakar Muyaya and the victim as 70-year-old Agnes Duri.

The shock incident, police said Saturday, happened on 26 December 2024 at around 1AM and at a house in Kuwadzana 7, Harare.

Nyathi said Muyaya allegedly assaulted Duri “with clenched fists and booted feet for not giving him a present during the Christmas period”.

“The victim was later found lying lifeless in her room with blood coming out of her mouth and ears. The suspect was subsequently arrested,” Nyathi said.

The police spokesperson said police were “concerned with the number of murder cases which are being recorded throughout the country”.

He added, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police has established that the murder cases are emanating from disputes at beer drinking binge or sporting activities, family and community disputes during gatherings, attacks by unknown suspects while walking at night, the settling of scores during the Christmas Day by individuals and groups and fighting over girlfriends, among others.”

In another case that happened on Christmas Day at around 7PM in Mwenezi, Triangle, a 29-year-old onlooker was stoned to death by mistake during a fight by one Mastard Chauke, 22, and a Tongai Moyo during a beer drink.

Police identified the victim as Ostern Mangaru who was struck by Moyo with a stone that had been intended for Chauke.

The victim fell on the ground and died on the spot.

In yet another murder incident that happened at around 9PM on Christmas Day, a suspect identified as Learnmore Mudzengi, aged 36, allegedly stabbed Sydney Mudzengi, 21 with a Columbian knife once on the chest at a Shurugwi business centre.

Police said the attack followed a misunderstanding between the two over a token which went missing whilst they were playing pool.

The suspect fled the scene and was later arrested by police facing murder.

Police also reported the death of Polite Nyauro, 23, who was found lifeless at Chipfuvamiti Primary School, Makonde on 26 December after he had been reported missing following a Christmas Day beer drink with his two brothers at a business centre in Makonde.

Nyathi urged the public to find peaceful methods of resolving domestic disputes or differences with outsiders.

He added, “The church, traditional leaders and general community is implored to come on board to ensure the public respect the sanctity of human life.

“The police will continue to engage communities in order to promote the culture of law-abiding citizens in all facets of life.”