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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
POLICE in Matabeleland South have launched a manhunt for two villagers who allegedly fatally assaulted a fuel dealer from Fort Rixon with an axe handle.

Ngwani Nyandeni and his unnamed cousin allegedly attacked Elvanos Mvula (34) of Hove Farm while he was with Mr Mncedisi Ncube on Sunday at around 8PM.

Ncube sustained minor injuries but managed to flee.

The two suspects fled the scene, leaving Mvula lying unconscious along the road.

Mvula died at Shangani Rural Hospital where he had been admitted.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident and said police were hunting for the suspects.

“I can confirm that a man died after he was allegedly heavily assaulted by two suspects who fled the scene. We appeal to members of the public who may have information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact police,” he said.

Ward 22 area headman, Mr Nkosiyabo Dladla, said the suspects were from a notorious gangster family.

“As a community we are assisting police in hunting down these men who belong to a family which has become notorious for its gangster sons, who are constantly committing crime.

“They are from the family one of whose members killed a seven-year-old child last week over a cellphone charging matter,” said Clr Dladla.

He said the duo pounced on Mvula and Ncube, who are illegal fuel dealers and it is suspected they wanted to rob them.

Mvula’s body was ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for post mortem.

Meanwhile, on the same day in a separate incident, another 34-year-old man was assaulted and stabbed seven times on his back in a mine dispute at New Eclipse Mine in Fort Rixon.

He is battling for life in hospital and two men who attacked him are still on the run.

Last Wednesday, a seven-year-old boy was allegedly strangled to death by a man who sneaked into his bedroom in the middle of the night after he had earlier during the day refused to give him a cellphone charger.

Chief Jahana expressed concern over the increase in cases of murder and assault in Fort Rixon, saying illegal miners were tarnishing the reputation of communities under his area of jurisdiction.