Staff Reporter

Police have arrested Liberman Ncube (31), also known as Likwa, on allegations of murder after a man was fatally stabbed with an Okapi knife near Roman Catholic Church in Newtown, Kwekwe, in the early hours of Wednesday.

In a statement, Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect was apprehended within hours of the incident.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a case of murder where a man died after he was stabbed with an Okapi knife on 18 February 2026 at about 0030 hours and the suspect was arrested within 24 hours thereafter. The murder incident occurred near Roman Catholic Church, Newtown in Kwekwe,” said Inspector Mahoko.

The deceased was identified as Future Makupe, also known as Chikule, of Village Chidoma in the Chitekete area of Gokwe.

Police said the victim’s body was discovered by a passerby lying in a pool of blood, who immediately alerted authorities.

“Allegations are that on 18 February 2026 at around 0030 hours, a passerby discovered a dead body which was lying in a pool of blood and informed the police,” Inspector Mahoko said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fatal stabbing allegedly followed an altercation between the suspect and the victim over the theft of clothes.

“Follow-ups were made leading to the arrest of the suspect the same day at about 0600 hours. A blood-stained Okapi knife was recovered from the suspect and recorded as an exhibit,” he said.

Inspector Mahoko urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and assist police with any information that may assist investigations.

“Once again, we call upon members of the public to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. Anyone with information related to the murder incident should get in touch with ZRP in Kwekwe,” he said.

The suspect is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.