Skull-bashing  thugs terror Mourners gathered at the funeral wake in Pumula South yesterday
Mourners gathered at the  funeral wake in Pumula South yesterday

Mourners gathered at the funeral wake in Pumula South yesterday

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
A MAN from Bulawayo has been found dead with the back of his head caved in after he was attacked by suspected robbers near Makoni Shopping centre in Pumula South suburb.

Residents told The Chronicle they suspected robbers hit Earnest Ndebele, 65, with a brick on the back of his head, about a kilometre from his house at about 11PM on Saturday.

Ndebele, a former manager at Premier Gaskets (Pvt) Ltd, had retired and was staying with his family. The robbers allegedly took away his cellphone and an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the crime scene.

A neighbour who stumbled on the body while on his way home from a nearby bar reportedly notified Ndebele’s family. A family spokesperson declined to comment yesterday saying they were waiting for elders to arrive for Ndebele’s funeral.

Residents said they were living in fear because people were being mugged and left for dead in the area every day. Several residents attributed the crime-wave sweeping the area to three bottle stores and a nightclub at the shopping centre.

“We were shocked to wake up to the sad news this morning. I wonder why those thugs killed him. They should’ve just taken his money and left him alive. This has become a dangerous area. People are being attacked and robbed on a daily basis by daring thieves.

“They pounce on unsuspecting people coming from bars or people disembarking from kombis. We informed the police hoping to get protection but nothing has been done so far,” said Zwelani Sibanda, a neighbour.

He said police officers residing in the area were also afraid of the muggers. “So daring are the thieves that we’ve been told they’ve gone to knock at one of the police officers’ house at night demanding his service pistol,” said Sibanda.

He said neighbours heard the commotion but no one dared to come out to help the officer.

“Luckily on the occasion, they failed to gain entry into the house,” Sibanda said. “It’s sad that someone has lost his life. Something has to be done before more people are killed by these daring thugs.” Similo Dube, a vendor who operates near Ndebele’s house, said she changed her knock-off time as people were now being attacked as early as 7PM.

“This area has become dangerous. I used to sell my wares up to about 8.30PM but now I make sure I’m at home by 6PM. Numerous people have been attacked as early as 7PM here,” said Dube.

“Last week, a woman lost groceries, money and a cellphone soon after disembarking from a kombi”.

The area’s councillor, Siboniso Khumalo, said he was concerned with continued reports of people being attacked, with some sustaining serious injuries near the shopping centre.

“I received the news about Ndebele’s death this morning. This is traumatising. People are no longer free to move around in this area.

“We held a budget consultation meeting this afternoon and residents agreed that we should, with immediate effect, revive the neighbourhood watch committee that used to be in place. I’m certain that the area will be peaceful again,” said Clr Khumalo.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Precious Simango could not be reached for comment.

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