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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
AN Insiza man who allegedly killed his friend by striking him with a knobkerrie on the head following an argument over the dollar-rand exchange rate has been arrested.
The incident happened on Thursday at around 7PM at Mpehlane Night Club in Vokola area, Insiza South Constituency.

Insiza South MP Cde Malachi Nkomo yesterday confirmed Meli Tshili’s death and the subsequent arrest of Lenin Mhlophe, 22, in connection with the murder. Tshili, 20, is alleged to have bought a cellphone memory card from Mhlophe for $6 and expected to get $4 change from R100.

The scuffle arose when Mhlophe gave him $3 only indicating that the exchange rate for United States dollar and the South African Rand was not 1:10 as he claimed.

Tshili insisted that he was right and demanded $1 shortfall and Mhlophe became angry.

“Allegations are that Mhlophe then took his knobkerrie and hit Tshili on the head once and he fell to the ground unconscious while Mhlophe took to his heels.

“As a result, Tshili bled from the nose and mouth. Police were quickly informed about the incident and they attended the scene,” said Cde Nkomo.

Tshili was rushed to Filabusi Hospital where he was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals as his condition was serious.

He died on admission.

“Postmortem results revealed that he sustained a fractured skull,” said Cde Nkomo.

He said the suspect Mhlophe, who intended to flee to South Africa, was arrested the following day at West Nicholson in Gwanda District.

“Police arrested him while he was on the run. I had an opportunity to speak to him and he indicated that he wanted to escape to South Africa.

“He said the incident was a mistake as it was not his intention to kill his friend,” added Cde Nkomo.

Tshili’s family demanded that Mhlophe’s family compensate them with five head of cattle before the burial could take place.

Cde Nkomo said the two families reached an agreement which saw the late Tshili being buried yesterday.

He discouraged people in his area from carrying weapons around as they could result in incidents like the Thursday murder which, he said could have been avoided. He urged people to live peacefully in their communities.

Cde Nkomo thanked the police for responding swiftly to the incident leading to the suspect’s arrest.

No comment could be obtained from the police as Matabeleland South provincial spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was out of office.