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Sukulwenkosi Dube, Gwanda Correspondent 

A BULILIMA man has been arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 86-year-old grandmother to death with a log after accusing her of bewitching him.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred last Wednesday at around 7PM in Nsubula Village, Bambadzi area. He said the accused Alfred Gumbo (32) from Gonde area who stays with his girlfriend and her late grandmother at their home, arrived home drunk and started accusing Mrs Lucia Ncube of bewitching him resulting in an altercation.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case where the suspect Alfred Gumbo beat up Lucia Ncube to death with a log. Gumbo arrived home drunk and found Ncube and her granddaughter Ms Simephi Ncube who is also his girlfriend seated in the kitchen hut. He started accusing the old woman and his girlfriend of bewitching him,” he said.

“Gumbo and Lucia exchanged harsh words and the old woman picked up a log out of anger and struck Gumbo on the forehead and he sustained a cut. Gumbo retaliated and also picked up a log from the floor and struck the woman several times all over the body until she died and he fled from the scene.’’ 

Chief Insp Ndebele said Simephi rushed to get help from neighbours. He said villagers pursued Gumbo, apprehended him and took him to the police station resulting in his arrest. -@DubeMatutu