The number of people killed over trivial issues is rapidly rising with police recording an average of seven murders per week, police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena has said.
Bvudzijena said some of the issues could be avoided if people took legal channels to address their differences.
He said the trend was now worrisome. He warned would-be offenders to take heed as sentences for the crime are heavy, including the death penalty.
“We are having problems with murder cases over frivolous issues. We are recording seven murders a week and we are saying they are too many,” said Bvudzijena.
“We are recording that people are killing each other over petty issues. Recently there was one who was killed over $5. Honestly, we cannot have such cases. That is unacceptable in our society. Some are killed over beer drinks, some would have complained of not being given enough food and end up killing. If the trend continues, we will continue to lose lives on a daily basis.”
Bvudzijena appealed to community leaders to take up the challenge and assist the people understand the gravity of murder.
He added: “We appeal to the leaders in our society and other people in the community to assist in some cases to avoid such murders. If we know of people having problems, let us counsel them to avoid these deaths. We need everyone to play a role for the protection of everyone. “Some of these disputes are those that can be solved without having any blood on the floor. So let us try and avoid these murder cases.”
A Mufakose man was recently murdered over a car battery dispute. A 17-year-old Chinhoyi boy allegedly killed a neighbour who had confronted him over a $5 debt and many more people are murdered during and after beer drinks.
