The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Correspondent
A MAN was arrested on Friday and has been charged with the murder of a 31-year old fellow gambler after allegedly spending five months on the run.
Mthokozisi Tshuma (25) from Pumula South, and his accomplice, Brian Banda (19) who is still at large were wanted in connection with the fatal assault after a fight broke out while they were gambling in September last year.
Bulawayo province acting Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest.
“Our officers received a tip-off about the whereabouts of Mthokozisi Tshuma who was wanted for murder and had been on the run since September last year. Upon his arrest, he confessed to the murder and will soon be appearing in court. However, we are still looking for Brian Banda and we appeal to the public to be on the lookout and report any information that may assist in the location and arrest of Banda to the nearest police station,” Insp Msebele said.
Insp Msebele thanked the public for its diligence in apprehending Tshuma. She urged the public to continue to assist the police in solving and combating crime. Events that led to the murder are that on 3 September last year, Tshuma and Banda were gambling at a bushy area near the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Pumula South along with the deceased when a fight broke out among the trio at around 10 pm.
Tshuma and his associate allegedly assaulted the deceased with an unknown object on the head and he sustained a swollen head. The duo also allegedly robbed the deceased of US$40 and a cellphone before fleeing the scene.
It is believed that the deceased did not seek medical attention until 11 September after his health began to deteriorate. He was referred to Mpilo Hospital on the same day where he was admitted before he died the next day. A report was subsequently made to the police, but until his arrest, Tshuma and Banda had managed to evade the law.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with cases of rape received in parts of the country where grandfathers, landlords and cousin brothers are cited as suspects. According to national police spokesperson,
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, there have been several cases in which family members have abused young girls.
On 10 February, an infant (5) was raped by her grandfather along the way to the garden at Janke Village, Lupane while in another case, a 16-year-old juvenile was raped in her bedroom by her uncle (45) on 12 February at Mashaba Village, Guyu.
In Bulawayo, a 14-year-old juvenile in Pumula Old was raped by her landlord (42) on Valentine’s Day and a day later, police in Jambezi received a report of rape in which a mentally challenged juvenile (13) was raped by her cousin brother on an unknown date last year at Cheumba Village. – @RealSimbaJemwa
