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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Matopo in Matobo District has been arrested for fatally assaulting a fellow villager who had stabbed him twice with an okapi knife.

Isaac Tshuma allegedly overpowered Mduduzi Sibanda and struck him several times using a log, leaving him unconscious.

Sibanda was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after he was found three hours later by a passer-by who informed other villagers.

He was pronounced dead on admission.

The incident is said to have occurred last Friday at about 3AM.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda said Tshuma is in custody and is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.

“We arrested a man who is accused of assaulting another villager with a log leaving him unconscious. The assaulted man was pronounced dead upon arrival at UBH. He is facing murder charges and assisting police with investigations,” said Asst Insp Sibanda.

“The accused was coming from Ntunjambili shops and he caught up with Sibanda and a misunderstanding ensued. Sibanda is said to have picked a stone and hit Tshuma on the forehead before stabbing him twice using an okapi knife. He was however, overpowered by the accused who grabbed a log and assaulted him until he fell unconscious.”

Asst Insp Sibanda said Tshuma left him for dead before proceeding to his home.

He said Sibanda was found at about 6AM by a villager who informed others about the incident.

“Sibanda was rushed to UBH where he died on admission. Tshuma was arrested the following day and is in police custody,” he said.