Lustfully stare at the bar lady, man knifed to death

A BULAWAYO accused a drinking mate of starring lecherously at the pub lady, who was his wife, before stabbing him to death in a jealous fit of rage and fleeing to South Africa.

Gift Mutenga, 39, was holed up in South Africa evading arrest for 14 years before the law, unforgetting as ever, finally caught up with him.

It was the desire to see his family again which proved Mutenga's undoing after he was promptly arrested by alert detectives when he returned home recently.

Mutenga of Njube township, fled across the Limpopo soon after stabbing Nkosilathi Ndlovu with an okapi on the 12th of December,1999 at Zothile Night Club in Entumbane suburb.

Prosecutors said Mutenga was infuriated as he watched Nkosilathi stare lustfully at the bar lady as she carried out her duties.

Magistrate Gladmore Mushove heard last Friday how Mutenga then rowed with Ndlovu over the issue before stabbing him twice on the chest, causing instant death.

Mutenga then fled to South Africa where was hiding until last week when he returned home, probably thinking that the crime had been forgotten, only to be immediately arrested by alert detectives.
He was charged with murder when he appeared in court and remanded in custody to March 18.

Prosecuting, Concilia Ncube said Mutenga exchanged harsh words with Ndlovu after allegedly noticing him gazing with "more than innocent interest" at his wife during the beer drink.

Ndlovu later went outside the pub. Mutenga followed and stabbed him to death.

A report was made to the police but Mutenga was nowhere to be found.