Binga ‘murderer’ nabbed at Zambia crossing

A MAN from Binga who allegedly fatally stabbed a fellow villager following a misunderstanding over ownership of a cow has been arrested.

Police arrested Apheti Mudimba (24) at around 1AM on Monday.

He allegedly stabbed Mike Munenge (36) on the forehead, chest and back with a kitchen knife in front of his kraal on Saturday morning.

Mudimba was intercepted along the Zambezi River in Hwange as he tried to board a boat into neighbouring Zambia.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

She said investigations into the matter were still underway and Mudimba was set to appear in court soon.

“Police have arrested a man who allegedly killed another man in a row over ownership of a cow. The incident occurred while another villager watched. He allegedly stabbed the now deceased several times using a kitchen knife until he died on the spot.

“The suspect was intercepted at Sibankwazi area after villagers tipped-off police officers. They caught up with him when he was boarding a boat to Zambia. The suspect is assisting police with investigations and will appear in court soon,” she said.

Insp Makonese warned members of the public to desist from violence.

“It is disheartening for us as police to continue to receive murder cases. People should value human life and not kill others like they are killing animals. When in disputes, they should engage third parties,” said Insp Makonese. Mudimba works at a plot in Kensington, Bulawayo. Police had launched a manhunt for him as he disappeared after the killing.

A source close to the investigations said the two had a misunderstanding over a cow which Munenge was given by his uncle, Mr William Muleya, in March this year.

The source said Mudimba also wanted the beast and argued that he was its rightful owner since he grew up herding it.

“On Friday, Mudimba arrived at Lubu from Bulawayo to discuss the matter with Munenge. On the following day, he went to his homestead and found him with an unnamed villager,” the source said.

Mudimba said he had come to collect the cow and forced Munenge to go with him to the kraal. He opened the kraal and Munenge tried to stop him.

The source said Mudimba picked up a log and assaulted Munenge.

“Munenge tried to retaliate, but Mudimba took a knife from his pocket and plunged it twice into the right side of Munenge’s chest. He pushed him to the ground and frenziedly stabbed him three more times on the back and once on the forehead. He then fled from the scene and hid the knife in a bush,” the source said.

“Munenge was taken to Binga Hospital where he was pronounced dead.” — @winnie_masara