"The three of us were sleeping, when four Shona-speaking men broke into the room, holding pangas. They started beating us with stones and demanded money. They hit my hand with a brick, but I escaped through the window and ran for my life.’’

This is the painful experience of Cephas Dube (32), a Zimbabwean national, who cheated death by seconds while his fellow Zimbabwean was brutally murdered by alleged Zimbabweans at Khubvi Village, outside Thohoyandou, last Wednesday.

He added: "I did not have a chance to put my trousers on, so I covered my private parts with my shirt. I ran to the Matashe Satellite Police Station and informed the police, but when we came back to the scene, we discovered that my friend was dead. He had gaping wounds to the head and his lifeless body was dumped outside the room."

Although Dube claims that the dead man was his friend, he could not give his identity, but he said they came from the same village of Mazwiwa, outside Masvingo.

The death of the Zimbabwean man breeds fear that the notorious Magumaguma (a group of Zimbabweans who brutalize and kill their counterparts and take their valuables), who are mostly found in Musina, is spreading to other parts of the province. Last week, another Zimbabwean was found dead with bullet wounds in Musina.

Dube further explains his ordeal: "I cannot understand why our brothers had attacked us in this brutal manner, because we come from the same country, speak the same language and share a common patriotism. Although the attack might have been motivated by crime, there might have been jealousy because we work hard to earn money. They must also work hard to be like we are. Look, my friend has now died because of these ruthless thugs who do not have respect for human life. He came to South Africa to seek greener pastures, but his venture has led his to a barbaric death," said Dube, who confirmed that he came to South Africa illegally.

When Mirror arrived on the scene, the dead man lay with his boots on the ground while his cap was just next to him. His head and trousers were covered with blood and sand.

Regional police spokesperson Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi confirmed the incident. He said a murder case was registered and a 25-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested. He added that police were still looking for another Zimbabwean suspect who is still on the run.