Teen stabbed to death in love triangle

A SUSPECTED love triangle ended in tragedy when a teenager from Bulawayo's Makokoba suburb was stabbed to death allegedly by a group of 16 boys in a fight over a girl.

The tragic incident happened while the now deceased boy's friend watched helplessly.

Witnesses and the victim's family said the incident occurred on Saturday shortly after 11PM in Makokoba suburb.

The deceased teenager has been identified as Bruce Mashoko, 17.

A friend, Bhekinkosi Sibanda, 17, who witnessed the tragic incident said Bruce was stabbed once under his left breast and  died shortly afterwards due to excessive bleeding.

Said Bhekinkosi: "We were coming from a friend's house where we had gone to watch European soccer on DSTV. On our way back home,

we were confronted by a group of 16 boys from Burombo Flats. They first asked for a cigarette from Bruce and he gave them. I fled because I had sensed danger.

"In fact, one of the gang members had a grudge with Bruce over a girl from the neighbourhood who he claimed Bruce had snatched from him."

Bhekinkosi said he watched helplessly, a few metres away from the scene, as Bruce was being attacked.

"I saw one of the boys pulling out a knife and he stabbed Bruce and they all fled leaving him lying in a pool of blood. I went closer during which Bruce slowly rose to his feet and together we went and informed our friends from the same neighbourhood," he said.

Bhekinkosi said they then pursued the gang but they could not catch up with them.

"We then decided to proceed to Ross Camp Police Station to report the matter but unfortunately Bruce started getting weaker and weaker due to excessive bleeding and we had to hire a taxi which took us to Mpilo Central Hospital," he said.

Bruce's sister, Catherine Sacubani said they later took her brother to Mater Dei Hospital after they found there were no doctors to attend to him at Mpilo.

"We'd to take him to Mater Dei Hospital because there were no doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital because of the ongoing strike. Sadly he died a few minutes later," said Sacubani.

When a Chronicle news crew visited the victim's family home yesterday afternoon, mourners were gathered.

Bruce's mother, Grace Tshabangu was visibly in pain as she narrated how her son was murdered.

"My son died a painful death. I'm still shocked, especially looking at the circumstances surrounding his death," she said in between sobs.
Tshabangu who stays in her rural home in Esigodini, said she was notified of Bruce's death yesterday morning.

"I'd to travel to Bulawayo after receiving the message about my son's death and I'm so devastated.  My prayer's that justice will prevail and the boys who killed my son should pay dearly for their evil act," she said.

Police sources said four suspects linked to the crime have since been arrested.

The suspects are detained at Mzilikazi Police Station.

Neighbours said the gang that killed Bruce had of late been terrorising residents of Makokoba suburb.

"These boys from Burombo Flats operate as a syndicate. They've been giving us sleepless nights. They're in the habit of terrorising other boys and committing all sorts of crimes that include pick-pocketing and breaking into neighbours' houses. The boys are always armed with knives," said a resident, Monica Ndlovu.