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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
A MAN from Tsholotsho is on the run after allegedly fatally assaulting a 95-year-old man. Meluleki Ncube (56) allegedly savagely kicked and punched Mr Nhliki Dube, popularly known as Zimbabwe in Tsholotsho, leaving him with broken ribs.

The vicious assault took place three weeks ago at Bubude business centre and Mr Dube died on Wednesday at Tsholotsho District Hospital where he had been admitted. Angry youths in the village have mobilised to hunt Ncube down. Villagers said they were angry that police officers did not arrest Ncube after the assault.

“Now a respected old man has died and Ncube has disappeared. He should have been arrested on the day he beat up the old man. Old as he is, Ncube is known for being violent once he drinks beer,” said Mr Mkhululi Sibanda.

“Village youths have decided to track down the fugitive. I hope they will hand him over to the police when they catch him.” Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Zenzo Sibanda said he had instructed officers at Tsholotsho Police Station to arrest the alleged murderer.

“Ncube assaulted the old man until he passed out at Bubude business centre. Dube was immediately ferried to Tsholotsho District Hospital where he was admitted until the time of his death. Medical reports show that Dube sustained internal injuries after he was kicked hard on the ribs. To my surprise, the culprit wasn’t arrested. Now that the old man has died, villagers and I personally demand the arrest of this murderer. Even though he has disappeared, police have to find him,” said Cde Sibanda.

He said he deplored the behaviour of violent people, especially those who have no respect for the elderly.

“This man ought to go to jail because clearly he killed the old man. He needs to be uprooted from my area because if he’s let free, I’m sure he will do that again,” said the MP.

A villager, Mr Makhosi Mlangeni, said everyone was not happy with what Ncube did.

“Ncube has always been violent each time he drinks beer. He is known to be violent and we saw this coming a long time ago. Villagers always said one day this man would kill someone. It has happened and surely he can’t get away with it. We expected to see him arrested right away but that didn’t happen. Maybe it’s because no one in the old man’s family pushed for that. Now that we’ve lost one of our community elders, we will do all we can so that he gets arrested,” he said.

Mr Mlangeni said the village had lost a wise counsellor and fountain of traditional knowledge.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Namatirai Mashona was not reachable for comment. — @winnie_masara.