Farai Dziva |A Masvingo man was fatally stabbed during a prayer at a church deacon’s homestead.

Clever Guviriro (28) was allegedly stabbed by Tinos Mudyanembwa of Mutumwapasi Village under Chief Shumba during an altercation over a badly cooked relish, according to the police.

Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the tragic incident.

The incident happened on Saturday at around 10 pm at Deacon Mutupo Madondo’s homestead where there the prayer meeting was being held.

”I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving congregants who had a prayer vigil at a homestead in Masvingo rural.

The suspect has since been arrested and he is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges,” said Chief Insp Mazula.

”At around 8 pm, a 14-year-old boy allegedly served Clever Guviriro and his friend Simbarashe Gumbochuma, supper. Upon receiving a plate of Sadza, Guviriro mocked the boy saying that the relish was poorly cooked and resembled women’s hairs,” she said.

This, she said, irked the boy, who then confronted Guviriro that he should be mindful of his speech at church.

This, however, did not go down very well with Guviriro who then repeatedly slapped the boy on the face until he fled.

The boy then reported the matter to his attacker’s siblings, Moses Guviriro and Mudyanembwa.

The two then confronted Clever Guviriro who was with his friend Gumbochuma and accused the pair of being a nuisance at church.

Mudyanembwa and Moses Guviriro then teamed up and fought Clever and Gumbochuma.

During the fight, Mudyanembwa allegedly took an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed Clever on the left side of the neck.

At realising that his victim had died, Mudyanembwa then fled the scene.

Mudyanembwa was later arrested after a police report.