Man stabs cop to death on New Year's Day

A POLICEMAN stationed in Jotsholo, Lupane, died on the spot after being stabbed once with an okapi knife by a man he was trying to arrest on New Year's Day.

Fraud Dlamini, 26, of Mzola area under Chief Menyezwa allegedly stabbed Constable Tafadzwa Virira in the chest, resulting in his death, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said.

"I can confirm receiving a report of a police officer, stationed at Jotsholo Police Station who was stabbed once and died on the spot on January 1 in Jotsholo.

"A 26-year-old male adult allegedly killed an officer on patrol duty. He was arrested and is in police custody while investigations on the murder case are underway," she said.

Close sources who requested anonymity said Dlamini was in the company of Leo Moyo, 21, when he allegedly committed the crime at about 7PM at Mzola 3 Business Centre.

On the fateful day Cst Virira left the station in the company of Constables Macoza, Kangare and Mlotshwa for the festive season patrols at Nganono Business centre.

"The four police officers were at the business centre, monitoring the New Year's celebrations on Friday. At around 6PM the now deceased officer received a tip-off from members of the public that there was a wanted culprit at Mzola 3 Business Centre," said the source.

"Virira proceeded there in the company of Cst Mlotshwa leaving the other two officers behind. While there, they spotted Dlamini and Moyo who were having a misunderstanding over a football match with a man only identified as Nyole."

The two argued with Nyole over an issue alleging that villagers of Mzola 6 were disrespectful.

The source said Dlamini and Moyo lost their tempers and started assaulting Nyole.

"Cst Virira approached the three, trying to intervene and stop the scuffle. He managed to arrest Moyo and put him in the area councillor's shop at the business centre, leaving him under the custody of Cst Mlotshwa and went back to try and arrest Dlamini as well.

"Cst Virira tried to arrest Dlamini who instead drew an okapi knife written 'AK 47 OCOP' from the left pocket of his pair of jeans and stabbed him once on the right side of his chest, inflicting a deep laceration," said the source.

The cop started bleeding profusely from the chest and ran for about 500 metres before falling to the ground, the source added.

"On seeing Virira down, the accused fled from the scene. Unknown Good Samaritans tried to render first aid to no avail as the cop had already passed on," said the source.

Chief Menyezwa said it was a pity and a disgraceful incident to be done by villagers.

He said villagers made the report at Jotsholo Police Station and they found the deceased lying face up in a pool of blood with blood stains on the mouth.

"Police launched an investigation in the village, found the suspect, and I'm glad the knife was recovered as well.

"The fact that Dlamini was walking around armed means he is a dangerous man who had it all planned. At least he is locked up where he belongs," said Chief Menyezwa. He said it was embarrassing that people in his community could do such an inhuman thing. "The police are there to enforce peace and security for the people but when they lose respect for them then that's something else," he said.