News / National
Bulawayo dealer allegedly shoots self dead
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Bulawayo businessman John Tafara Madzikatire allegedly fatally shot himself near his girlfriend's house in Cowdray Park on Saturday night.
According to sources, Mr. Madzikatire had been posting disturbing messages about death and suicide on his social media platforms prior to the tragedy. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head outside his girlfriend's house.
Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are currently underway.
"Police confirm the death of John Tafara Madzikatire who was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Police are treating the case as suicide, and investigations are ongoing," she said.
People close to Mr. Madzikatire revealed that two days before his death, he posted a troubling message on his WhatsApp status: "If I leave this world u (you) will not say I am a coward, you better call me a coward, and I have no choice."
A friend of Mr. Madzikatire, who declined to be named, said the message raised concerns, though it was not taken seriously initially.
"Sometimes people post messages that make it appear as if they are suicidal, but we didn't take it seriously. We don't really know what happened, whether it was suicide or something else, but his WhatsApp messages were disturbing," the friend said.
Workers at Samaz Butchery, one of Mr. Madzikatire's businesses, recalled seeing their boss on Saturday around 5 pm when he delivered meat to the Luveve outlet in his black Mercedes Benz. He was accompanied by a young woman who stayed in the car while he unloaded the meat.
Shortly after hearing of the tragedy, the workers hired a Honda Fit vehicle and rushed to Cowdray Park, where police were already present. Mr. Madzikatire's vehicle was later parked outside the Luveve butchery after being released to the family.
It is understood that Mr. Madzikatire was with his girlfriend when he allegedly shot himself. The girlfriend was questioned by police and later released.
Police sources also revealed that large sums of money were found at the scene, adding another layer of mystery to the incident.
The cause of Mr. Madzikatire's death remains under investigation, and his concerning social media posts have heightened speculation. Mourners are expected to gather at his plot in Kensington, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, as the community comes to terms with his sudden death.
According to sources, Mr. Madzikatire had been posting disturbing messages about death and suicide on his social media platforms prior to the tragedy. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head outside his girlfriend's house.
Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are currently underway.
"Police confirm the death of John Tafara Madzikatire who was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Police are treating the case as suicide, and investigations are ongoing," she said.
People close to Mr. Madzikatire revealed that two days before his death, he posted a troubling message on his WhatsApp status: "If I leave this world u (you) will not say I am a coward, you better call me a coward, and I have no choice."
A friend of Mr. Madzikatire, who declined to be named, said the message raised concerns, though it was not taken seriously initially.
Workers at Samaz Butchery, one of Mr. Madzikatire's businesses, recalled seeing their boss on Saturday around 5 pm when he delivered meat to the Luveve outlet in his black Mercedes Benz. He was accompanied by a young woman who stayed in the car while he unloaded the meat.
Shortly after hearing of the tragedy, the workers hired a Honda Fit vehicle and rushed to Cowdray Park, where police were already present. Mr. Madzikatire's vehicle was later parked outside the Luveve butchery after being released to the family.
It is understood that Mr. Madzikatire was with his girlfriend when he allegedly shot himself. The girlfriend was questioned by police and later released.
Police sources also revealed that large sums of money were found at the scene, adding another layer of mystery to the incident.
The cause of Mr. Madzikatire's death remains under investigation, and his concerning social media posts have heightened speculation. Mourners are expected to gather at his plot in Kensington, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, as the community comes to terms with his sudden death.
Source - The Herald
