The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council assistant director of Engineering Services, Eng Mbuthi Gugu Mkhwananzi, died yesterday at Mater Dei Hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by a rival suitor after the two clashed at a girlfriend’s house in the city.
Eng Mkhwananzi succumbed to injuries he allegedly sustained after the brutal attack on Tuesday morning.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.
“We initially received a report of assault and we arrested the perpetrator for attempted murder and he appeared in court. We later received information that the man had died and we have now arrested the assailant for murder. He is in police custody,” said Insp Simango.
According to sources close to the incident, Eng Mkwananzi was at his lover’s home in Four Winds suburb when he was attacked by the rival suitor.
“He was in bed when another man came to the house and found him at around 9am on Tuesday. The rival suitor struck with a pick and his ribs punctured his lungs.
“He then died yesterday at the hospital,” said the source.
The woman in question whose name could not be immediately established is said to be going through a divorce with her husband and was allegedly double-crossing the late Eng Mkhwananzi with the accused person who was also not indentified.
Sunday News visited the home of Eng Mkhwananzi at Number 1 Cliburn Crescent in Morningside suburb and spoke to his relatives. A woman who refused to be named said she was his mother’s sister.
“Yimi umamoncane wakhe (aunt). We have lost him, sehambile. What happened is that there was an assault that took place, I am not too sure where it happened but someone assaulted him on Tuesday last week. He was taken to the hospital and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
“He was not able to speak when he was admitted. He was using machines to breath,” she said.
She said Eng Mkhwananzi only started talking on Thursday but later died yesterday. The family said they have very little information about what actually happened on the day he was assaulted.
“We do not know much as we have not been told much. So we are waiting to hear more and it is best you come tomorrow (today) and we give you more information as to what transpired. You will find ubaba omncane (uncle) here to explain to you,” said the elderly woman.
Sources close to the happenings said he was in a relationship with the unidentified woman and his family is abroad. Eng Mkwananzi joined the council last year in as the assistant director of engineering services (roads branch).
He had just returned from abroad to take up the post at the council. He was a holder of a Masters Degree in Project Management from the University of Ireland and a Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from Leeds University in the United Kingdom.
He also was also holder of a certificate in local government studies from the National University of Ireland and also a member of the Institute of Chartered Engineers of Ireland.
His first stint with council was from 1997 to 1999 when he was a graduate engineer.
He then worked as a roads design engineer in the roads branch from 1999 to 2002.
He then moved to Ireland where from 2009 to 2013 where he worked on a number of projects as an assistant project manager, engineer and consultant.
Efforts to get a comment from the city Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo were fruitless.
