Prominent Byo Businessman Found Dead
19 January 2025
Spread the love

By Crime and Courts Reporter-Prominent Bulawayo businessman and owner of the owner of Samaz Butchery in Luveve, John Tafara Madzikatire, has been found dead.

Madzikatire’s lifeless body was found inside his black Mercedes-Benz in Cowdray Park on Saturday night.

Residents discovered the car parked on the street around 9 PM and alerted authorities.

Madzikatire had a gunshot wound to the head.

Police confirmed the death and initially treated the case as a suspected suicide, but Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the acting Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo, said investigations are ongoing.
“The case is being treated as a suicide for now, but investigations are continuing,” said Msebele.

However, emerging details have raised questions about foul play.

According to one of Madzikatire’s employees, the businessman was last seen around 5 PM on Saturday when he delivered meat to the koChigumira outlet in Luveve.

He was accompanied by a young woman, who stayed in the car while the delivery was made.

Later that evening, friends informed employees that Madzikatire had allegedly shot himself outside the woman’s house in Cowdray Park.

“We are in disbelief that the boss killed himself,” said an employee who chose to remain anonymous. “The butcheries will remain closed until we hear from the family.”

ZimLive reported that police found a large sum of money inside the car, including over US$4,000 and R19,000 in various currencies.

Madzikatire, a married father of two originally from Mutare, was reportedly found just meters from the home of his alleged mistress.

The significant cash, his proximity to a mistress’ house, and the circumstances of his death have led to speculation about possible foul play.

While authorities are yet to confirm further details, the case has sent shockwaves through Bulawayo’s business community.