POLICE in Bulawayo have pleaded with liquor outlet operators to improve security at their properties to save lives amid concerns of a spike in murder cases which occurred at beer drinks during the crossover into 2025.
In a statement, Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele urged the public to avoid engaging in arguments during drinking times.
“On January 1, at 7:45am, the now-deceased, Khulekani Mjaho (31) of Pumula Old, was at a beer garden in the area, where he had an altercation with Thembelenkosi Mlotshwa (29) over beer issues. Mjaho hit Mlotshwa once on the head with an empty beer bottle,” Msebele said.
“Mlotshwa then withdrew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Mjaho several times on the stomach, sustaining cuts on the stomach. His intestines were left protruding.”
Msebele said matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene while an ambulance was summoned, which ferried Mjaho to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he died.
In another incident, Msebele said on December 31 at 10:30pm, a 30-year-old man from Pumula South was drinking beer with Kwaziyena Moyo (27) at his residence when a misunderstanding arose, resulting in the complainant hitting Moyo with open hands twice in the face.
“Moyo then produced an okapi knife and stabbed the complainant three times on the right side of the chest.
“The complainant sustained three stab wounds on the chest and he collapsed and was ferried to Mpilo Hospital, where he is admitted,” Msebele said.
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A report was made the following day, leading to Moyo’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Gugulethu Sibanda (33) of Pumula Old is behind bars for the murder of her husband Master Khabo (46), after seeing him talking to a female friend at their local shops.
A misunderstanding arose between the two, resulting in Sibanda striking Khabo with a stone once on the back of the head and he sustained a swelling.
Khabo made a report of physical abuse and an ambulance was summoned before he was ferried to Mpilo Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
“On December 31 at 11am, the investigating officer went to their place of residence to arrest Sibanda and discovered that the condition of the now-deceased had deteriorated, as he could hardly talk. She (the investigating officer) summoned an ambulance and the now-deceased was ferried back to Mpilo Hospital,” Msebele said.
“He was admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) and his condition was critical. On January 1, at 12:45pm, Khabo passed on while still admitted in the ICU at Mpilo Hospital.”
