According to Mr Makombe they noticed a vehicle following them shortly after leaving Murambinda. This vehicle, a blue Zanu (PF) Nissan 2.7 D double cab, was following closely, and would stop when we stopped, and pick up speed when we moved. About 500 metres away from the growth point, the Zanu (PF) vehicle overtook our car, a Mazda B2000 truck, and stopped just in front of us, blocking the way. Two men armed with AK47 rifles and others bearing iron bars emerged from the Zanu PF car and started assaulting us. The MDC youths at the back of the MDC truck fled at the sight of the guns. Makombe managed to escape after overpowering two assailants. In the scuffle, several petrol bombs were hurled into Chiminya’s car, and he and the woman could not escape because the doors of the vehicle had been locked after the battering of the vehicle. Although both later managed to escape from the burning vehicle, Chiminya had been badly burned and died a few metres away. The woman died later in Murambinda Hospital. According to Happison Chiremba, one of the MDC supporters who witnessed the petrol-bombing incident, police at Murambinda were parked less than 100 metres away from the scene, and acted only later. Chiremba had alerted the police when he saw the Zanu PF truck following behind Chiminya’s car, sensing that clashes would ensue. The police allegedly followed from a distance and when confronted with the unfolding reality, the police allegedly developed cold feet. Chiremba said: "It was very sad to see someone die, just like that, with the police looking on. We could not get water because no one in the township would open their doors as it was late and people were afraid. By the time we got water, Chiminya was already dead.".

Earlier during the day, another MDC supporter, David Machinga, had been severely beaten and left for dead allegedly by Zanu (PF) youths. Machinga was rushed to Murambinda Hospital unconscious but he was treated and later discharged.

According to The Herald police have arrested one suspect in connection with these killings at Murambinda

According to MDC sources the two people who attacked the MDC vehicle are the Commander of the Central Intelligence Office in Buhera, Mr Mwale, and his deputy, Mr Sibanda. It is alleged that Mwale knew Chiminya and when Mwale saw him in the MDC vehicle he said to him "What are you doing here Chiminya?" Chiminya was then hit with a rifle butt through the window of the cab and the cab was attacked with iron bars. After the MDC members had run away some distance, one of them heard Mwale say "Where are the petrol bombs." Soon afterwards flames were seen coming from the vehicle.

Matthew’s brother, Elias is the MDC Parliamentary candidate for Bindura. According to Elias his brother Elias was not active in politics. Elias said that his family members had been attacked because he was an MDC candidate for elections. Elias gave this version of what happened:

The MDC candidate for the constituency, Mr M.Hove, said yesterday that he had reported this matter to the police and had been assured that the police were looking for the kidnappers. He said he had to appeal to the police in Zvishavane after Gambiza’s family told him that the Mberengwa police had said they could not help. "The police officers who visited Gambiza’s home told his mother who is about 74 years old that they suspected he was being held at Texas Farm in Zvishavane and police did not have access to the farm" said Hove.