NORTON MURDERS: False reports of more suspects arrested in orgy of gruesome murders

False reports that more suspects have been arrested in the orgy of gruesome murders, which have rocked Norton, sent hundreds of the town’s residents onto the streets, demanding mob justice for the “suspects”.

Some of the residents were armed with stones.

The false reports claimed that the ‘suspects’ were set to show homicide detectives how they killed two men in the town amid fears that these were ritual killings.

The mass reaction to the false reports showed that this is a town on the edge and there is a lot of anger in Norton over the killings.

Residents of the town are living in fear after two shocking murder cases in the area this week.

The bodies of two men were found within the same area, close to the World Harvest Church in the Katanga area, on Monday and Tuesday.

Both eyes, private parts and the tongue were removed from one of the bodies.

Police national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, dismissed the false reports.

“The police are concerned about the false information circulating on social media regarding the arrest of suspects in the Norton murder case.

“We categorically deny any such arrests,” he said. During a visit to Katanga, H-Metro observed scores of people milling around the crime scene.

An employee from a nearby company revealed that they were forced to close their business due to the escalating tension.

“People are furious about the brutal murders that occurred within 48 hours.

“They heard from sources that the suspects had been arrested and came in large numbers,” he said.

Shadreck Jack Gideon
Patrice Tinashe Chipaumire (40) and Shadreck Jack Gideon (29) are the two men who were killed.

Chipaumire’s body was found with a deep cut on his throat.

A suspect has since appeared in court.

Pardon Jena, 29, appeared before Norton magistrate Mitchell Panavanhu, and was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Flossie Chigudu alleged that on Monday, at around 2am, Jena left Seaways bar together with Chipaumire and headed home.

A misunderstanding arose between the two over an unknown issue near Kufa garage in Norton.

Jena allegedly then stabbed Chipaumire once on the neck and he collapsed.

He allegedly went on to mutilate Chipaumire’s private parts and his left cheek.

On the same day, at around 6am, Chipaumire’s body was found lying at the scene with a deep cut on the neck, missing left cheek and private parts by a passerby, who then informed the police.

Jena was arrested near the Petrotrade garage, at Katanga shops. Gideon’s body was found near a church and an Early Learning Centre and residents believe he was killed elsewhere and was then dumped near the creche.

A local Councillor attempted to disperse the crowd but was met with resistance.

Gideon’s family spokesperson, Ruth Raphael, said he would be laid to rest in Norton tomorrow.

“Shadreck was self-employed and leaves behind a seven-year-old daughter.

“If all goes according to plan, we expect to hold the funeral this Saturday,” she said.

H-metro