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Midlands Bureau Chief
A THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Silobela man was fatally assaulted by his father and brother who then tied him to a tree the whole night.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident occurred in Silobela on Wednesday last week.

He said Misani Nyathi (35) died after he was allegedly struck with the back of an axe and with logs several times all over the body by his father Kefas Nyathi (63) and his brother Polite (37).

Insp Mahoko said it is alleged that on Wednesday at about 8PM at Village Mzathana, Chief Sigodo, Silobela, Misani allegedly threatened to kill his father over an undisclosed issue.

“It is further alleged that Misani appeared to have developed a mental illness. He became violent and threatened to assault his father. A struggle ensued between the two and Polite, who is the deceased’s brother, intervened to try and refrain Misani.

“The two suspects managed to overpower Misani and they tied him to a tree with his dreadlocks and a rope. They then took turns to assault him all over the body,” he said.

Insp Mahoko said in the morning at around 8AM, neighbours Sheila Dube (48) and David Mpofu (62) arrived at the Nyathi Homestead and found Misani weak and groaning in pain while tied to the tree.

“They untied him, helped him take a bath and left him in the custody of the suspects. At around 5PM, Misani died while seated under the tree. Police attended the scene and the two suspects were arrested. The deceased’s body was taken to Silobela District Hospital mortuary,” he said.

Inspector Emanuel Mahoko

In another murder incident, Insp Mahoko said on Friday, at about 3.34pm, Mr Tonderai Zambezi (24) of Ascot Infill in Gweru was drinking beer at Maninja Bar with Mr Buhlebezwe Mlotshwa (23).

He said Mr Zambezi was approached by two unknown suspects who requested to have a conversation with him outside the bar.

“It is alleged that while outside the bar, five other unknown suspects joined the conversation and a misunderstanding ensued. The seven unknown suspects then produced machetes and sharp objects and they stabbed Mr Zambezi several times all over the body,” said Insp Mahoko.

He said Mr Mlotshwa allegedly tried to refrain the suspects from further assaulting Mr Zambezi but the suspects turned against him and stabbed him with the sharp objects several times in the back.

“The suspects fled the scene. Mr Zambezi and Mr Mlotshwa sustained multiple injuries and were ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital. Mr Zambezi was pronounced dead upon arrival and Mr Mlotshwa is in a serious condition,” said Insp Mahoko.

He said the matter was reported to the police and a manhunt for the seven suspects has since been launched.

Insp Mahoko appealed to members of the public to always respect the sanctity of human life and to resolve disputes peacefully.