SHOCK AND OUTRAGE: LONG-SERVING REVOLUTIONARY BRUTALLY SLAIN IN EPWORTH AMID SURGING CRIME WAVE
By Kudzai Jakachira
Harare- The Epworth community and the ZANU PF fraternity find themselves plunged into a profound state of mourning following the barbaric and cold-blooded assassination of Comrade Thomas Musandiriri (1952–2026).
A titan of the liberation struggle and a cornerstone of grassroots leadership, Cde Musandiriri was violently struck down on the evening of February 2, 2026, at Chiremba Shopping Centre.
The details surrounding the murder are as harrowing as they are senseless.
Cde Musandiriri, a man who survived the perils of the liberation war, met his end in a savage encounter that has sent shockwaves through the district.
Reports indicate that the veteran leader was intercepted by unidentified assailants who subjected him to a level of brutality that defies description.
This was not merely a crime; it was a grotesque violation of a man who spent his life advocating for peace and communal harmony.
The clinical savagery of the attack at a public hub like Chiremba Shopping Centre underscores a terrifying reality: the sanctity of life in Epworth is increasingly under siege by a lawless element that operates with chilling audacity.
This heinous act serves as a grim indictment of the burgeoning crime wave currently paralyzing the Epworth area. The escalation of violent criminal activity—ranging from armed robberies to targeted assaults—has reached a critical flashpoint.
The murder of a figure as prominent as Cde Musandiriri highlights a deteriorating security situation where even the most respected pillars of society are no longer safe.
Residents are now demanding urgent intervention as the “overspill” of criminality threatens to erode the very social fabric Cde Musandiriri worked so tirelessly to mend.
The Legacy of a Revolutionary Giant
Born on May 5, 1952, in Mudzi, Mutoko, Cde Musandiriri’s political consciousness was forged in the crucible of colonial resistance.
As a war collaborator, he provided vital support to freedom fighters, playing an unsung but essential role in the birth of Zimbabwe.
His post-independence trajectory was defined by unwavering loyalty to the ruling party, ZANU PF.
From his early days as a Cell Secretary in 1980 to his ascent as the longest-serving Chairman of Tafirenyika District (Ward 6) since 1992, his tenure was a masterclass in ideological clarity and grassroots mobilization.
Cde Zinziri, Chairman for Takakunda District, expressed his devastation:
“He was a comrade in the truest sense—fearless, principled, and deeply rooted in the revolutionary ideology.
His departure is a catastrophic blow to the party and to those of us who shared the trenches of service with him.”
Cde Machabvonga, Vice Chairman for Tafirenyika District, echoed these sentiments, describing him as a mentor and an elder whose “calm but firm” leadership brought stability to the region.
Beyond the political arena, Cde Musandiriri was a dedicated family man—a patriarch survived by five sons, 22 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was a mediator of disputes and a mentor to the youth, embodying the values of humility and discipline.
The void left by his violent passing is immeasurable.
As the nation awaits news on burial arrangements, the call for justice grows louder.
The revolution may have lost a loyal son, but the spirit of Cde Thomas Musandiriri will undoubtedly remain a beacon for those who continue to fight for a safer, more prosperous Zimbabwe.
