Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A 24-year-old Zimbabwean man was fatally stabbed by a 21-year-old in South Africa during an altercation reportedly over a woman.
The victim, Liberty Shawn Wazara, was described by his family as a humble young man who had been deeply in love with a woman he met in Pretoria last December.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo told IOL that the 21-year-old suspect handed himself in to police earlier this week and has been arrested in connection with the murder. He said:
“The 21-year-old suspect handed himself in at the police station. He was then charged with murder.
“He is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 September 2025.”
Shawn’s uncle, Everton Wazara, told IOL that Shawn and the woman he met in December had quickly moved in together. He said:
“I recall vividly that the love relationship between my cousin Shawn and her girlfriend (name withheld by IOL) started on a high note.
“They seemed to be deeply in love with each other. I can tell you with certainty that Shawn really loved the woman and would do many things to show his love. The two quickly moved in together after they met in December.
“The two moved into an apartment in Mayville, in Pretoria. However, the woman maintained another romantic relationship with another man, who later showed up at the apartment on Saturday around midnight and (allegedly) brutally killed my cousin.
“Right now, Shawn’s mother is inconsolable since we broke the news to her. She has been crying nonstop. I do not know what I will say to my sister.”
Everton said that while Shawn’s relationship with his girlfriend began promisingly, cracks soon started to show. He said:
“On Saturday, I am told Shawn visited her girlfriend’s workplace, a popular pub in Pretoria. She works as a bartender.
“They later went to their home, but there was an argument between the couple, with Shawn asking her where her phone was.
“The context is that Shawn had somehow become informed about the other boyfriend. The lady insisted she had left her phone at work.
“As the fight escalated, the girlfriend contacted her other boyfriend, who then rushed to the scene.
“The man rocked up on a bike, just before midnight on Saturday, and the lady went out to talk to him.
“The man was insisting on taking the woman away. As someone who truly loved the woman, Shawn also went out in an effort to persuade the woman, but that was when he was repeatedly stabbed. He had several deep stab wounds.”
Everton described the murder scene as “devastating” and added that the woman never bothered to contact them to inform them that Shawn had been brutally killed. He said:
“We only became aware of the death from a Facebook post made by (socialite and Gauteng-based lawyer) Moreboys Munetsi, who was looking for family members of a murdered man.
“Right now, we are appealing for justice for Shawn. He did not deserve to be killed like an animal. For what?
“Some witnesses saw everything taking place. We are grateful for the work done by the South African Police Service (SAPS) detective so far, who has also been supportive in our quest for answers.
“We will be in court today (Thursday) so that we can come face to face with the killer.”
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