Nkulumane murders, 2 arrested

BULAWAYO police have arrested two men from Makokoba, believed to be part of a six-member gang linked to the murders of two people whose bodies were dumped in a storm drain in Nkulumane 12.

The bodies of Lokukhanya Ncube, 19, and her boyfriend, Mthabisi Dube, were found close to the intercection of Rangemore and Ntemba roads on April 24.

Ncube was naked, save for a pair of panties, while Dube - a commuter omnibus tout - was wearing a pair of jeans and a purple sweater. His throat had been slit, his hands and legs tied and he also had deep cuts on the neck.

Ncube's hands were tied together and the right side of her abdomen had been ripped open.

Last night, police sources confirmed the arrests of two men.

One of the suspects has been named as Webster Ndlovu, nicknamed "Nhundu", of Mabusela Flats in Makokoba. His alleged accomplice could not be immediately identified.

"These two are thought to have been operating as a group of about six or so.

"Two were arrested while others are on the run," said a police source.

The motive for the murders remains unclear.

Neighbours said Ndlovu was recently on trial for other crimes, but could not shed more light.

"Nhundu was arrested recently and we heard that it was in connection with the Nkulumane murder.

"He has been in trouble with the law before, and is currently facing other charges," a neighbour told Chronicle.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could neither deny nor confirm the arrests, referring questions to the Criminal Investigation Department which is leading the probe. The CID was unavailable.