Lupane brothers attack, kill man in dispute over opaque beer

TWO siblings from Lupane have been arrested for allegedly killing a villager whom they attacked with logs and then stabbed several times following a misunderstanding during a drinking spree.

Lifa Sibanda (35) of Nzalipha Village under Chief Mabhikwa, died after he was allegedly stabbed and hit repeatedly all over the body by David (21) and Joseph Nkiwane (17) both of the same area.

The incident occurred at around 8PM on Saturday after the trio had engaged in a drinking spree.

A knobkerrie, logs, an axe and a knife were found at the scene.

Sibanda was rushed to Gomoza Clinic where he died upon admission and the two were then arrested on Sunday afternoon.

A neighbour only identified as Ndlovu said on Saturday afternoon, Sibanda asked for assistance to remove his cow which was stuck in the mud.

“Sibanda asked the Nkiwane brothers to help him pull out his beast that had got stuck in the mud. The two went and indeed helped him, and then after all work was done, Sibanda offered to buy a crate of Calabash opaque beer which the three would share,” he said.

Ndlovu said Sibanda bought the beer and the three started drinking, but trouble began when the beer was finished.

“The Nkiwane brothers demanded that he buys more beer, insisting that they had done too much work which deserved more beer as payment.

“A heated argument arose resulting in the brothers attacking Sibanda with logs, an axe, a knife and a knobkerrie. He died upon arrival at the clinic,” he said.

Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Sergeant Namatirai Mashona said she had not yet received the report on the matter. — @winnie_masara