Richard Muponde, a senior politics reporter for Zimpapers, was viciously assaulted and left unconscious in a pool of blood by Lloyd Gweshe—also known as Nyanzvi—a builder, karate practitioner, and bodyguard to sungura star Alick Macheso.
Muponde, who contributes to the Zimpapers Politics Hub, sustained severe head and facial injuries, including the loss of three teeth, after the unprovoked attack at a local drinking spot in Granary Park 1A, where he lives.
Muponde recounted that the attack occurred late on Thursday, August 7, shortly after he returned from town and arrived at his local shopping center around 10 p.m. Due to traffic delays, Muponde found most shops were already closed. He left his paperbag containing bananas with a nearby tyre repairman while he went to find soft drinks.
Finding only a few nightspots still open, he entered one and encountered his colleague, Kudakwashe Mutemachani, who invited him outside for a chat. During their conversation, amid a crowded scene, Muponde was suddenly bumped into by a stranger—later identified as Gweshe.
Gweshe immediately confronted Muponde, accusing him with the phrase, “Wakatidenha.” Without warning, he slapped Muponde twice while wearing black gloves fitted with silver spikes that left Muponde stunned.
When his colleague tried to intervene, the attacker escalated the assault. Gweshe warned, “Wakuda kuzvinyanya, ndokupaza,” before landing a knuckle-dusted punch to Muponde’s right eye and multiple blows to his mouth, rendering him unconscious.
Muponde was reportedly unconscious for nearly two hours. A bar attendant helped revive him with water, but Gweshe and his associates allegedly left the scene boasting, “tomuuraya uyu” (we will kill him). The journalist lost three teeth and suffered a deep cut with internal bleeding in his right eye.
Throughout the ordeal, Muponde insisted he did not fight back or defend himself due to the overwhelming force used against him.
The next morning, Muponde filed a police report at Marimba Police Station (Case Number RRB 6542651), but over a week later, no arrests have been made. The journalist expressed fear for his safety, especially given his role covering political matters, and is concerned about the attacker’s apparent influence and intimidation tactics.
Residents have accused Gweshe of leading a gang that terrorizes Granary Park, with many assaults allegedly going unpunished. Gweshe has been seen at the scene in police riot gear, fueling speculation about his connections.
Muponde thanked fellow journalists and musicians, including Tich Makahamadze of Orchestra Mberikwazvo, for their financial and moral support during his recovery, which remains difficult. He reported struggling to sit upright and currently surviving on liquids only.
Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation, Muponde is considering taking his case to higher police authorities to ensure justice is served.
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