‘Cross fire’ man stoned to death
A GWANDA man was last Monday brutally killed in a “cross fire” revenge mission after being mistaken to be the brother of a man who killed his rival suitor in a dispute over a woman early this year.
Fortune Ndlovu (26) of Matshetsheni area under Chief Masuku was allegedly stoned and stabbed twice, on the chin and on the left side of the chest after Mduduzi Ncube (20), Fanuel Sibanda and (25) and Zekias Tshabangu of Silalatshani in Filabusi under Chief Sibasa thought that he was a brother to Londani Moyo (30) who allegedly killed his wife’s lover last year.
It is alleged that the three men were bitter after their relative Sikhulumani Ndlovu was allegedly killed by Moyo and were baying for the blood of any member of the Moyo family as a way of revenge. Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda confirmed the death of Ndlovu.
“We confirm that on 31 May this year at around 4pm at Filabusi Shopping Centre, Ndlovu was stoned and stabbed to death by Tshabangu, Ncube and Sibanda after a misunderstanding. Ndlovu was approached by the three men who are from Silalatshani and they seem to have failed to understand each other so they hit him with stones before stabbing him twice to death. His death was confirmed at Esigodini District Hospital the very day,” said Asst Insp Sibanda. He said the three accused were on the run. “We are appealing to our supportive community to assist us with information that might lead to their arrest. Anyone with relevant information should call our hotline number, 0284-20139. We urge members of the public to avoid using violence as a way of solving their problems but instead seek counselling if ever they feel they are disadvantaged,” said Insp Sibanda.
Sunday News learnt that on Friday relatives of the accused and that of Ndlovu were summoned by the chief to make burial arrangements of the deceased. Chief Sibasa advised the relatives of the accused to handle all the burial services.
“You are advised to take responsibility of the funeral. I urge people to stop violence and treat each other as humans not animals. It is not human for a person to be killed like a goat,” said Chief Sibasa.
Ndlovu was a cousin to Moyo who had left his home at Matshetsheni to live with the Moyos at River Block Resettlement area. He will be buried on Tuesday.