Zvikomborero Parafini
A GOOD Samaritan, who was assisting a colleague who had a breakdown along the Harare-Norton highway, was murdered by robbers who sought to steal diesel from him.
Talkmore Vinga, who was a driver at Accuride Technologies, was sent to Norton with 20 litres of diesel on September 22 to rescue his colleague, Timothy Shambare.
Shambare’s Freightliner haulage truck had run out of fuel.
Vinga refuelled the haulage truck with 10 litres and the truck drove towards Harare, while he drove behind it.
The haulage truck stopped near the Dzivaresekwa turn-off after running out of fuel again.
Vinga took the remaining 10 litres and walked towards the haulage truck.
He was intercepted by Tanyaradzwa Chayambuka and Simon Chihungwe, and two others, who are still at large.
One of them hit him on the head with a stone and he fell down unconscious.
Shambare, who was standing by the truck, observed the brutal attack on his colleague and armed himself with spanners and a metal bar and confronted the gang.
The gang fled.
Vinga was rushed to hospital where he later passed away.
The two appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday and were remanded in custody.
They are also facing attempted murder charges for allegedly attacking one Fredy Chigumira on Sunday.
He was driving along Bulawayo Road when he stopped his vehicle.
As soon as he parked, he was attacked by Chayambuka and Chihungwe and their accomplices.
One of them smashed his wind shield with a stone, which hit him on the head, causing serious injuries.
The gang demanded cash and valuables and he surrendered US$1 200 and his cellphone.
The robbers were interrupted by soldiers who were on their way from work.
One of them rendered first aid to Chigumira while the others chased the robbers and caught Chayambuka, who led the police to Chihungwe’s base in Epworth, where he was arrested.