ZCC member 'murders' fellow congregant

A Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Judea member from Zaka has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly striking a fellow congregant on the head with a log during a dispute while on their way to a church service on Saturday evening.

The suspect, Sam Togara (33), was arrested the same night following the death of Emmanuel Shanganai (23) in Binduko Village, under Chief Nyakunhuwa, around 8pm.

Masvingo Provincial Police Deputy Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing and that police were still trying to determine the cause of the altercation.

"Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the misunderstanding. We are yet to establish what triggered the argument between the two men," said Patinyu.

According to police reports, Togara and Shanganai were walking together to attend a ZCC Judea church service when a heated argument broke out. Togara allegedly picked up a log and struck Shanganai once on the head before fleeing the scene.

Fellow congregants who were heading to the same service later came across Shanganai's lifeless body and reported the matter to the police.

Togara was subsequently arrested and is expected to appear in court soon facing a murder charge.

The victim's body was taken to Ndanga Hospital for a post-mortem.

Police have urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid violence, warning that such acts continue to claim unnecessary lives in communities.