Dealer shoots small house, self, vibrat*r found in blankets

A Harare businessman, Irvine Mereki shot dead his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself in Avondale early on Tuesday.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Mereki shot his girlfriend, who has been identified as Claris Chopamba (pictured), before turning the gun on himself. The cause of the fracas could not be readily ascertained.

H-Metro reports that a vibrat*r was found in the blankets.



The incident happened at 44 Oxford Road in Avondale. Irvine Mereki's body was found undressed in a pool of blood while the body of Claris Chopamba (32) was lying on the bed.

Irvine is the son of Mr Mereki, who is behind Kwa Mereki, a social outing and braai spot in Warren Park. Both Claris and Irvine's bodies were found with gunshots wounds in the head and the latter was holding a pistol in his right hand. She was putting on a blouse and it is reported that a vibrat*r was found in the blankets.

Police Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday confirmed a suspected murder and suicide case in Avondale though she could not divulge names of the now deceased citing protocol reasons.

"Police have attended a scene in Avondale this morning (yesterday morning) where two people were found dead. We suspect both murder and suicide cases," she said.

Senior Asst Comm Charamba said the woman had a wound on the left ear while the man had a wound on the right ear consistent with gun shots.

"The woman was lying on the bed facing upwards while the body of the man was holding Star Pistol with his right hand touching the trigger," she narrated.

The police spokesperson added that the gun had two rounds in the chamber while there were also two spent cartridges - one near the woman and another close to the man. She however, said police are still carrying further investigations. The bodies have been taken to the mortuary.

According to sources who arrived at the scene first, it is suspected that Irvine read a love text from Claris' OTHER BOYFRIEND believed to be a high profile figure thanking her for the quality time they had before Irvine's arrival. It is believed that the message which was sent during Irvine's presence is the one that could have caused a misunderstanding leading to the tragedy.

A close friend to Irvine refused media entry to the scene; propping the entrance with security personnel who went on to manhandle a ZBC cameraman threatening to destroy his camera.

However, a close family relative who refused to be identified said the murder and suicide case is very sensitive and they did not want to divulge more information leaving it to police for investigations.

"This story is very sensitive my brother and has left us shell shocked that we don't want to rush into divulging more information. At this moment we are leaving everything to the police," said one of the relatives.

"What I can say at the moment is that we have two bodies in the bedroom and to make matters worse Irvine died at his small house's home. We are still to get more details my brother," added the relative.

Sources said the bodies were discovered after a relative, identified as Victor, was called to the garden flat to help move Irvine's car which was blocking other motorists who wanted to leave for work. Victor broke the door and discovered Claris and irvine's bodies lying in a pool of blood after several calls went unanswered, it is said.