News / National
Man arrested for killing a prostitute
29 Nov 2013 at 10:50hrs | Views
DETECTIVES in Mutare this week arrested David Mugayi (36) in connection with the alleged murder of a lady of the night he was last spotted with before her death last month.
Mugayi, of House Number 507, Area 13, Dangamvura, was arrested on Sunday in Warren Park D, Harare in connection with the alleged murder of Tatenda Homwe (24).
The alleged murder occurred on October 22 around 2am. Initially it was suspected that the late Tatenda was allegedly gang raped and brutally murdered by unknown assailants - but the arrest of Mugayi added a different dimension that it was a lone act following a misunderstanding over money.
Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda on Wednesday confirmed Mugayi's arrest. He said the suspect was assisting police with investigations.
"We have arrested David Mugayi, of 507 Area 13, Dangamvura, Mutare, in connection with the (alleged) murder of Tatenda Homwe (24), on October 22, 2013. The suspect was arrested in Harare following a tip off from a reliable informant. He is in police custody and is assisting with investigations," said Assistant Insp Chananda.
Asst Insp Chananda said preliminary investigations established that Tatenda or Mai Matwins met her alleged killer Mugayi at Mangenje Nite Club, Dangamvura, Mutare around 6pm.
"They met at Mangenje and he gave her $39 for safekeeping and for buying beer. The two embarked on a beer drinking binge until they were left with $25. It was around 2am the following morning the two left the place after agreeing to go and have sex at the accused's house," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said after walking for some distance, the two agreed to have a short time sexual encounter in the bush.
This was on the alleged understanding that Mugayi will pay Tatenda $5. However, soon after the act Mugayi shifted goalposts and instead demanded his money back.
Tatenda allegedly refused to budge and an altercation ensued.
"The condition was that Mugayi would pay $5 for the quickie, but after the act he demanded that she gives him back the money he had entrusted her. The now deceased refused and the suspect started assaulting her. He eventually strangled her to death," said Asst Insp Chananda.
Her body was stashed in between green shrubs just outside House Number 346, Area 14. Her face was bruised and had traces of blood, while her neck had fingernail scratches.
A black jacket, pink purse and a red undergarment were found in a gulley a few metres from her body.
Scores of shaken residents jostled to catch a glimpse of Tatenda's body. The discovery almost caused a traffic jam as passing motorists as well as those in commuter omnibuses wanted to view the woman's body.
"He searched her handbag and took a Nokia hand set and $50. The deceased's body was discovered later that morning by Chrispen Dube who reported the matter to police. When detectives attended the scene, her body was lying face upwards without her pant and shoes. Her handbag was discovered 100m away. There were struggle marks and human waste at the scene.
"The undergarment was later discovered hanging on the hedge with human waste, while the shoes and jacket were recovered from a nearby stream," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said a post mortem that was done at Mutare Provincial Hospital proved that she did as a result of strangling, forcing police to treat her case as murder.
Mugayi, of House Number 507, Area 13, Dangamvura, was arrested on Sunday in Warren Park D, Harare in connection with the alleged murder of Tatenda Homwe (24).
The alleged murder occurred on October 22 around 2am. Initially it was suspected that the late Tatenda was allegedly gang raped and brutally murdered by unknown assailants - but the arrest of Mugayi added a different dimension that it was a lone act following a misunderstanding over money.
Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda on Wednesday confirmed Mugayi's arrest. He said the suspect was assisting police with investigations.
"We have arrested David Mugayi, of 507 Area 13, Dangamvura, Mutare, in connection with the (alleged) murder of Tatenda Homwe (24), on October 22, 2013. The suspect was arrested in Harare following a tip off from a reliable informant. He is in police custody and is assisting with investigations," said Assistant Insp Chananda.
Asst Insp Chananda said preliminary investigations established that Tatenda or Mai Matwins met her alleged killer Mugayi at Mangenje Nite Club, Dangamvura, Mutare around 6pm.
"They met at Mangenje and he gave her $39 for safekeeping and for buying beer. The two embarked on a beer drinking binge until they were left with $25. It was around 2am the following morning the two left the place after agreeing to go and have sex at the accused's house," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said after walking for some distance, the two agreed to have a short time sexual encounter in the bush.
This was on the alleged understanding that Mugayi will pay Tatenda $5. However, soon after the act Mugayi shifted goalposts and instead demanded his money back.
Tatenda allegedly refused to budge and an altercation ensued.
"The condition was that Mugayi would pay $5 for the quickie, but after the act he demanded that she gives him back the money he had entrusted her. The now deceased refused and the suspect started assaulting her. He eventually strangled her to death," said Asst Insp Chananda.
Her body was stashed in between green shrubs just outside House Number 346, Area 14. Her face was bruised and had traces of blood, while her neck had fingernail scratches.
A black jacket, pink purse and a red undergarment were found in a gulley a few metres from her body.
Scores of shaken residents jostled to catch a glimpse of Tatenda's body. The discovery almost caused a traffic jam as passing motorists as well as those in commuter omnibuses wanted to view the woman's body.
"He searched her handbag and took a Nokia hand set and $50. The deceased's body was discovered later that morning by Chrispen Dube who reported the matter to police. When detectives attended the scene, her body was lying face upwards without her pant and shoes. Her handbag was discovered 100m away. There were struggle marks and human waste at the scene.
"The undergarment was later discovered hanging on the hedge with human waste, while the shoes and jacket were recovered from a nearby stream," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said a post mortem that was done at Mutare Provincial Hospital proved that she did as a result of strangling, forcing police to treat her case as murder.
Source - manicapost
