Kwekwe scotch-cart driver jailed 20 years for killing tuckshop owner during fare dispute

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after a dispute over missing groceries and a US$5 transport fee turned fatal at Wentworth Farm in Redcliff, Kwekwe.

Collen Ishmael was sentenced by the High Court of Zimbabwe sitting at Gweru after being convicted of murdering Elias Kavhumbura Chimutiso at Stand Number 19, Wentworth, Redcliff.

The High Court heard that on 6 April 2026 at around 1 pm, Chimutiso hired Ishmael to transport his groceries from Mutegude Business Centre to his residence at Wentworth using an ox-drawn scotch cart. The agreed fee was US$5.

Upon arrival, Chimutiso discovered that some of the groceries were missing. He confronted Ishmael and told him he would not pay the transport fee until the missing items were returned.

A misunderstanding escalated into a physical fight inside Chimutiso’s tuck-shop. The fight continued outside despite efforts by a witness to restrain them.

Ishmael then went to his scotch cart, armed himself with an axe, and returned. He struck Chimutiso once on the left shin and once on the right side of the head, causing him to fall to the ground bleeding profusely, before fleeing the scene.

Police attended the scene and transported him to Kwekwe General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Ishmael was arrested on 7 April 2026 and police recovered the axe from his bedroom.

A post-mortem established the cause of death as brain injury, severe head trauma and assault.