News / Local
Cops hunt hooker slayer
13 May 2015 at 07:48hrs | Views
POLICE in Bulawayo are hunting a suspected killer after a prostitute was found dead in her rented room at Paddonhurst suburb yesterday.
And in another tragic twist, the family she rents the room from lost a nephew the same day after he complained of a headache.
A friend stumbled on the body of Memory Mpofu, 25, undressed and lying face down on a bed.
The friend told police a piece of cloth was stuffed in Mpofu's mouth and there were no visible bruises or blood on her body.
Mpofu is a mother of one whose family lives in Pelandaba suburb.
The Chronicle visited the shell shocked Paddonhurst family and heard how the turn of events had traumatised them.
"Memory was our tenant here and we still can't come into terms with what happened to her.
"She was a lady of the night and we suspect that she was killed by her client whom she brought in the wee hours of today? said a man who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We're in shock because we lost our nephew who was suffering from a terrible headache at around the same time Memory could have been killed."
He said Memory was staying with his aged mother who was hard of hearing.
"Her body was discovered by her friend who also rents here and she's the one who alerted the police. Her body was undressed and there were no blood stains or bruises.
"Her attacker escaped through the window. We found the door locked and a burglar bar in one of the windows bent"
The man said Mpofu's uncle who stays in Pelandaba with her son had collected her belongings.
"Her friend said she last spoke to Memory at around 1AM as she was coming from a night club. She said Memory was already inside the room with a male client. However, everyone who lives in this house said they didn't hear any noise during the night"
Another neighbour, Thembelani Cele, said Mpofu was found lying facing down on her bed which was next to the window.
"A piece of cloth was found stuffed into her mouth with no signs of a struggle in her room. Police managed to track the taxi driver who brought the two (Memory and her alleged killer) home and he confirmed that Memory had come with a man," said Cele.
"He came here and confirmed that he was hired by Memory to bring them here. He told us that the two went into Memory's room which is near the gate and that he would be able to recognise the man if he saw him again. We wonder what pushed the man to kill Memory. We hope police will arrest the cruel man."
Pelandaba Councillor Lot Siziba could not comment on the issue as he said he had not yet visited Mpofu's family.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident yesterday and said extensive investigations were underway.
"We're investigating a case where a 25-year-old woman from Paddonhurst was murdered. We appeal to members of the public to help us with information that may lead to the arrest of the culprit," said Insp Moyo.
"They may contact us on our hotline, (09) 885479, toll free for NetOne subscribers 110, WhatsApp platform on +263776097122," said Insp Moyo.
He said those with information could alternatively visit the nearest police station.
And in another tragic twist, the family she rents the room from lost a nephew the same day after he complained of a headache.
A friend stumbled on the body of Memory Mpofu, 25, undressed and lying face down on a bed.
The friend told police a piece of cloth was stuffed in Mpofu's mouth and there were no visible bruises or blood on her body.
Mpofu is a mother of one whose family lives in Pelandaba suburb.
The Chronicle visited the shell shocked Paddonhurst family and heard how the turn of events had traumatised them.
"Memory was our tenant here and we still can't come into terms with what happened to her.
"She was a lady of the night and we suspect that she was killed by her client whom she brought in the wee hours of today? said a man who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We're in shock because we lost our nephew who was suffering from a terrible headache at around the same time Memory could have been killed."
He said Memory was staying with his aged mother who was hard of hearing.
"Her body was discovered by her friend who also rents here and she's the one who alerted the police. Her body was undressed and there were no blood stains or bruises.
The man said Mpofu's uncle who stays in Pelandaba with her son had collected her belongings.
"Her friend said she last spoke to Memory at around 1AM as she was coming from a night club. She said Memory was already inside the room with a male client. However, everyone who lives in this house said they didn't hear any noise during the night"
Another neighbour, Thembelani Cele, said Mpofu was found lying facing down on her bed which was next to the window.
"A piece of cloth was found stuffed into her mouth with no signs of a struggle in her room. Police managed to track the taxi driver who brought the two (Memory and her alleged killer) home and he confirmed that Memory had come with a man," said Cele.
"He came here and confirmed that he was hired by Memory to bring them here. He told us that the two went into Memory's room which is near the gate and that he would be able to recognise the man if he saw him again. We wonder what pushed the man to kill Memory. We hope police will arrest the cruel man."
Pelandaba Councillor Lot Siziba could not comment on the issue as he said he had not yet visited Mpofu's family.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident yesterday and said extensive investigations were underway.
"We're investigating a case where a 25-year-old woman from Paddonhurst was murdered. We appeal to members of the public to help us with information that may lead to the arrest of the culprit," said Insp Moyo.
"They may contact us on our hotline, (09) 885479, toll free for NetOne subscribers 110, WhatsApp platform on +263776097122," said Insp Moyo.
He said those with information could alternatively visit the nearest police station.
Source - chronicle
