Zimbabwean DJ knifed to death in England

Zimbabwean DJ knifed to death in England

By Showbiz Reporter

A PHOTOGRAPH supplied by his family shows Marvin Jiro donning a trendy T-Shirt with a portrait of the late Zimbabwean nationalist leader Dr Joshua Nkomo, known affectionately as Umdala Wethu (our father).

Underneath Nkomo's portrait is a quote from the Father of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle saying: "My comfort has been to trust in and be trusted by the masses."

In the early hours of Monday morning, Jiro's trust in humanity was shattered when he was knifed to death following a confrontation with three men in Birmingham, England.

A popular Zimbabwean nightclub DJ, Jiro, 26, was attacked on Howard Street, Hockley.

He was rushed to hospital with stab wounds to the chest and was later pronounced dead.

Known to his fans and family as AKA Benz, Marvin has lived in both Canada and Washington DC in the United States where he is well known for his passion for music.

A family spokesman told New Zimbabwe.com that Marvin left behind his wife Danai and nine-year-old daughter Yevai.

A police spokesman said the inquiry was in its early stages and there was no clear motive for the attack.

He said: "We are keeping an open mind and would like to speak to anyone who was in the Hockley area in the early hours and may have information to assist the inquiry."

Police said Jiro was killed after he stopped his car and got into the fight.

Detectives revealed the dead man had been out drinking with two friends at the Gem Club in Branston Street, Hockley, on Sunday evening.

The group left the club shortly after 0300 BST on Monday in a blue Mercedes car driven by Jiro.

He stopped the car in Howard Street and after getting out he became involved in a fight with three men during which he was stabbed.

The group are described as black and in their twenties.

Last summer, Jiro was the main attraction with his South Central crew at Players Club in London.

Marvin was born in Harare on August 21, 1980. The last born in a family of 10, Marvin was a twin with sister Maryline.

He went to Chaminuka Primary School and his secondary education was spread between Goromonzi, Churchill and Phoenix High School in Hatfield.

Widely respected in the dee-jaying circles, Marvin had at the time of his death amassed a huge international following in not only Zimbabwe but also in Canada, London and the USA.

He was introduced to deejaying by his elder brothers Papa Lodza (Lloyd Jiro), Denford and Bernard Jiro during the 1996-1997 Hip Hop explosion led by the 'South Central Posse' who played in clubs such as Sarah's (later known as Wiggle), Circus, Harpers and Smugglers.

Marvin Jiro had emigrated to Canada in 2001 with wife Danai. From 2004 to the time of his death, he was travelling between London and Toronto with several high profile dee-jaying engagements.

In 2005 he was the special international guest DJ at ZimExpo alongside his brother, Papa Lodza. In December 2005, Marvin, visiting from London held the biggest open air New Year's gig ever seen in Harare held in Borrowdale's Club 10 where hundreds attended.

His family has released several numbers for friends and fans who wish to pay their tributes:

U.K - Danai or Maryline @ 07961552959

CANADA - Yvonne or Yvette @ 1-416 831 4856

U.S.A - Bernard or Lloyd @ 1 202 558 6853

ZIM - Denford @ 091 501 501, Constance @ 011 200 005
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