Kwekwe Gardener Severely Injures Himself, Allegations of Abuse Surface

Kwekwe – On the evening of September 14th, 2024, a young gardener in Kwekwe inflicted serious injuries upon himself in a shocking incident that has left the community deeply unsettled. Panankosi Phiri, a 19-year-old gardener employed by Priscah Saungweme (50) at house number 15 Bauhinia Masasa, began exhibiting erratic behavior at around 8 PM.

According to Saungweme, Phiri’s strange behavior started abruptly, and he soon took a knife and cut himself on both hands, bleeding profusely. “I tried to stop him, but he became violent and wouldn’t let me help,” Saungweme recounted. Phiri’s actions quickly escalated as he severely mutilated himself. Throughout the ordeal, he called out the name “Trish Masunda,” the 10-year-old granddaughter of his employer, repeatedly referring to her as his “wife.”

Saungweme immediately contacted the Kwekwe Central police, who arrived promptly at the scene. Phiri was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital for emergency medical care. Despite his severe condition, Phiri continued to call out for the young girl, raising concerns over his mental state and the disturbing nature of his actions.

As the investigation continued, further revelations came to light. Four days after the incident, on September 18th, Phiri, while still hospitalized, was interviewed again by the authorities. During this time, Trish Masunda, accompanied by her guardian, disclosed that Phiri had allegedly abused her on a prior occasion. She could not recall the exact date of the incident. Upon hearing these allegations, the police promptly escorted Masunda to Kwekwe General Hospital for a medical examination.

Saungweme expressed her shock, stating, “I never imagined something like this could happen under my roof. My granddaughter’s safety is my priority now.” The authorities are treating the allegations with seriousness, and investigations are ongoing.

Currently, Phiri has been transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where his condition is being closely monitored. Medical staff have assessed his condition as stable, though he remains in critical care due to the severity of his injuries.

Kwekwe Central Police have confirmed that investigations into both the self-harm incident and the allegations of abuse are still in progress. “We are conducting a thorough investigation and will update the public as new developments unfold,” the investigating officer stated.

This shocking incident has left the Kwekwe community grappling with the unsettling details, as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the tragic episode.