News / Regional
Most wanted criminal stabbed to death
10 Sep 2015 at 06:41hrs | Views
The Lupane shop in which Ndaba Mpofu was stabbed during a failed robbery on Tuesday
A CRIMINAL mastermind on the police wanted list has been killed after breaking into a shop in Lupane, The Chronicle reported.
Ndaba Mpofu, 25, who was on the run for various crimes including robbery and assaulting his wife, was stabbed to death by a brave shopkeeper who confronted him in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police have arrested Xolani Gumbo, who works at a grocery shop at Mathambo Shopping Centre, under Chief Mabikwa. No charges have been filed yet. Villagers said Mpofu broke into the shop, awakening Gumbo who was sleeping with his wife in a room nearby. Kembo Nyoni, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee who was called to the scene following the stabbing, said Mpofu was the ring leader of a notorious gang in the area.
He said at the time of his death, he was in the company of four accomplices who stood guard as he went to meet his death. "Mpofu was a well-known daring criminal and people in the area were afraid of him and his gang. They went to the shop in the middle of the night with an intention to steal money and groceries," said Nyoni.
Armed with a knife, Nyoni said Mpofu broke into the shop through a window and left his friends waiting outside. "Gumbo heard some noises and woke up to check what was happening in the shop. He found Mpofu searching for money and a fierce battle ensued," he told The Chronicle.
He said Gumbo sustained serious injuries but overpowered Mpofu, who fled the scene after being stabbed, it was not clear if the fatal wounds were inflicted with his own knife.
"After realising that he had been stabbed, Mpofu left the shop but collapsed after walking for just 100 metres. Two of his friends fled the scene while the other two rushed to a nearby homestead for help," Nyoni said. "We rushed to the scene but we found Mpofu dead."
He said Gumbo rushed to his boss' homestead to report the incident and was later arrested. Nyoni said Mpofu and his friends were well known for break-ins and assault in the area. Matabeleland North provincial spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not be reached for comment.
Ndaba Mpofu, 25, who was on the run for various crimes including robbery and assaulting his wife, was stabbed to death by a brave shopkeeper who confronted him in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police have arrested Xolani Gumbo, who works at a grocery shop at Mathambo Shopping Centre, under Chief Mabikwa. No charges have been filed yet. Villagers said Mpofu broke into the shop, awakening Gumbo who was sleeping with his wife in a room nearby. Kembo Nyoni, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee who was called to the scene following the stabbing, said Mpofu was the ring leader of a notorious gang in the area.
He said at the time of his death, he was in the company of four accomplices who stood guard as he went to meet his death. "Mpofu was a well-known daring criminal and people in the area were afraid of him and his gang. They went to the shop in the middle of the night with an intention to steal money and groceries," said Nyoni.
He said Gumbo sustained serious injuries but overpowered Mpofu, who fled the scene after being stabbed, it was not clear if the fatal wounds were inflicted with his own knife.
"After realising that he had been stabbed, Mpofu left the shop but collapsed after walking for just 100 metres. Two of his friends fled the scene while the other two rushed to a nearby homestead for help," Nyoni said. "We rushed to the scene but we found Mpofu dead."
He said Gumbo rushed to his boss' homestead to report the incident and was later arrested. Nyoni said Mpofu and his friends were well known for break-ins and assault in the area. Matabeleland North provincial spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not be reached for comment.
Source - chronicle
