Man runs amok, brutally attacks family and neighbours

A NKULUMANE man yesterday morning ran amok beating his wife, children and brutally attacking two neighbours with a shovel. The man, who is employed as a security guard, also destroyed property in his house and two of his neighbours' window panes and doors using stones and a shovel.

The family of Lovemore Khumalo (42) reportedly had to endure five hours of horror when he went on a rampage destroying property and beating his wife, Mrs Annah Khumalo, their children and a relative, Miss Ayanda Moyo, from 2am until around 7am yesterday.

It is further alleged that after the family had escaped from the family house, Mr Khumalo then went on to attack a neighbour identified as NaSharon who was sweeping outside her house with a shovel, leaving her lying in blood.

He then went on to attack another neighbour, identified as Mr Moyo who was cultivating his field.

Efforts to get a comment from national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi on the matter were fruitless.

However, when a Sunday News crew got to the scene, police officers were taking statements from Mrs Khumalo and neighbours. Neighbours interviewed said they were still shocked at the occurrence describing Mr Khumalo as a humble man who had no grudges with anyone. Some police officers were shielding Mr Khumalo from the crowd which was baying for his blood; others had lit up a tyre saying they wanted to burn him alive.

"We initially heard people screaming and shouting at around 7am. When I went outside I saw Mr Khumalo beating Mr Moyo, who was lying helplessly in his field, with a shovel. It was so horrific because he seemed not to care that the person he was attacking was lying helplessly.

"It was difficult for us to intervene because he was armed with this shovel and he was also using stones to assault anyone who tried to stop him. It was then that I noticed that he had also attacked NaSharon who was lying in blood in front of her house," said Mr Timothy Phiri, a neighbour who witnessed the incident.

Mr Bruce Ndlovu, who was chased after by Khumalo while trying to attack him with a shovel, said he was fortunate he was able to outpace Khumalo.

"I just came across him as I was on my way home and he started chasing me with a shovel and some stones. I'm lucky to have survived otherwise I could have been injured or killed," he said.

In an interview, Mrs Khumalo revealed that her husband started shouting in prayer non-stop from midnight and when she asked what the problem was, he started beating and biting her arms threatening to kill her. Mrs Khumalo also pointed out that her husband started vandalising property and they had to seek refuge from neighbours.

Miss Moyo, who stays at the same house with the Khumalos, said they reported Khumalo to the police but they delayed in coming to arrest him.

"We initially heard Mrs Khumalo screaming at around 2am. When we tried to help her, my uncle became so violent and he overpowered us. At first we thought he was demon possessed and we tried to sprinkle him with anointed water but the problem persisted and we could not hold him since we were only females so we escaped.

"I then decided to report the matter to Tshabalala Police Station, but the police were too reluctant to help. They told us they could only come and pick him up in the morning," said Miss Moyo.

Police sources who spoke to this publication said NaSharon was in the Intensive Care Unit at Mpilo Central Hospital while Mr Moyo was in a stable condition.

"We took Mr Khumalo to Tshabalala Police Station where he is assisting police with investigations, we are also checking on the lady victim's condition because she is very critical. So at the moment he will be charged with attempted murder among other charges relating to damaging property," said the police source.