Man stabbed to death ‘for bedding neighbour’s wife’ okapi knife

okapi knife

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A MAN (36) from Matobo District died on the spot after he was allegedly stabbed by a neighbour who accused him of having an affair with his wife.

Pedzisai Mpofu of Mahusumani Village, Bhazha area under Chief Masuku, was allegedly stabbed once in the back and once on the neck by Steven Tshuma (32) of the same area after he accused him of cheating with his wife.

The incident occurred at around 5PM on Monday at Bhazha Business Centre.

Mpofu’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the murder and said investigations were underway.

“I can confirm we received a report of a man who was stabbed and died on the spot. The now deceased was accused of cheating with the rival’s wife. He sustained a deep cut on his back and another on the neck. He died on the spot,” she said.

Asst Insp Mangena said the suspect was arrested and will appear in court soon.

She appealed to members of the public to desist from violence, urging them to resolve disputes amicably.

“When bothered by such matters or any other disputes, we advise the public to engage third parties such as chiefs, police, church elders or even family rather than to resort to violence. Violence results in unnecessary injuries and deaths which land one in jail,” said Asst Insp Mangena.

“We continue to embark on crime awareness campaigns throughout the province, with the hope of bettering and empowering communities. It’s high time people took heed of these messages and apply them in their daily lives.”

A patron who preferred not to be named said Tshuma came to the business centre and confronted Mpofu.

“He got into the bar where Mpofu was drinking beer and pretended to want to pay a debt to the bar tender. Standing next to Mpofu at the counter, Tshuma quickly turned to him and started interrogating him, accusing him of sleeping with his wife.

“He said he had got word of their ‘thing’ and had monitored them to prove that. A misunderstanding arose with Tshuma drawing an okapi knife from his trouser pocket which he used to stab Mpofu once in the back. Mpofu ran for dear life, heading out of the bar, but Tshuma caught up with him and this time aimed for the neck. Mpofu fell to the ground, bled profusely and died before he could be rushed to hospital,” he said.

The source said a police officer who was on duty at Bhazha police base, saw the now deceased running away from Mpofu bleeding and tried to intervene.
“He ran after the two in a bid to stop the fight but after a chase of more than 150 metres, Tshuma stabbed Mpofu for the second time and fled from the scene. The police officer however managed to chase after the suspect and arrested him,” he said. — @winnie_masara

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