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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

A GOLD panner allegedly fatally stabbed his 19-year-old girlfriend after she forgot a gas cylinder in a vehicle she had boarded. 

Morgan Mugabe (34) of Chivi attacked the now deceased Itumeleng Dube at Maqethuka Business Centre in Gwanda District on May 11 at around 8PM. 

He fled from the area and went to his rural home where he confessed to his mother.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena, confirmed the incident saying Mugabe surrendered himself to the police in Chivi and was later escorted to Gwanda where he is being held.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case, which occurred at Maqethuka Business Centre. The now deceased Itumeleng Dube was employed as a shopkeeper at the business centre,” she said. 

“A brother to the now deceased received information that Itumeleng had been found lying in a pool of blood in the shop.

“He went into the shop with other community members and found Itumeleng lying lifeless on the ground. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene. Itumeleng had a stab wound below her left breast.”

Insp Mangena said according to investigations, some community members heard Mugabe quarrelling with the deceased and during the process, Mugabe was questioning her why she had left a gas cylinder in a vehicle she had boarded.

Insp Mangena said at night community members heard Itumeleng screaming and when they got to the scene, she was lying in a pool of blood and Mugabe had fled from the scene.

She urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence when faced with disputes.

“It’s unfortunate that a young life has been lost over such a petty issue. As the police, we would like to urge members of the public to desist from engaging in violence when faced with disputes. 

“Lives are often lost over petty issues. People should find amicable solutions to their problems or even engage third parties,” said Insp Mangena.

“I would also like to applaud Mugabe’s relatives for escorting him to the police station after he had arrived in his village. This is what we always encourage members of the community to do when we say they must report criminals instead of harbouring them,” she said. — @DubeMatutu.