Slain bulawayo businessman laid to rest as police kill two suspects

Bulawayo businessman Tedious Rutanhira, who was shot dead in front of his son during an armed robbery earlier this week, was laid to rest at Umvutshwa Cemetery in Bulawayo on Friday.

Rutanhira, 52, was shot twice in the chest at about 11 pm on Tuesday near a service station at the corner of Third Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street. He had just closed his shop and was walking towards his vehicle when he was attacked.

According to family spokesperson Austin Rutanhira, two armed men emerged and tried to forcibly take the bag he was clutching.

“While he was walking towards his car, two armed men emerged and tried to forcibly take the bag he was clutching, but he resisted,” Austin said. “They then fired shots at him, killing him on the spot. They took the bag, which contained cash amounting to US$10,000, and fled.”

The family said the incident has left them shell-shocked. Rutanhira is survived by his wife, Ngoni, and four children. He had been a businessman for many years.

His second-born child, who asked not to be named, said he had remained behind to lock the shop.

“We had just closed the shop, and I remained behind locking the door. Within a few minutes, I saw two men charging towards my father, and they shot him,” he said.

“The scene haunts me, and I pray that law enforcement agents will eventually arrest them so that we can find closure as a family.”

Taxi drivers who were nearby tried to pursue the robbers, but the suspects fired shots in their direction before escaping.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the burial, including vendors and small-scale traders who said his kindness and generosity had helped them feed their families and build their businesses.

His wife, Ngoni, fought back tears as she paid tribute.

“Mwanangu (my child), I’m devastated and at a loss for words. He was a loving and supportive husband. He understood and appreciated me,” she said.

“He loved his children and taught them good principles of life and encouraged them to believe in God, and we joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

Late on Friday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said there had been a shootout involving suspects linked to Rutanhira’s murder.

Two suspects – Mehluli Ncube, 45, alias Mamba, and Muzi Richard Fambirai Moyo, 45 – were shot dead, while four others – Shelton Jubane, 37, Charles Ndlovu, 52, Prince Chisale and Clive Ncube, 27 – were arrested.

Police said the suspects are linked to ten cases of armed robbery in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.