News / National
Man grabs an AK47 from a soldier, shoots family, self dead
02 Feb 2012 at 05:35hrs | Views
A HWANGE man shot and killed his father and brother before turning the gun he had grabbed from a soldier on himself following a dispute yet to be ascertained.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 5pm.
The man, Mandlenkosi Ndlovu, used the Zimbabwe National Army AK-47 rifle to kill his father Mthandazo, his brother Honest and himself.
Confirming the shooting incident, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said Mandlenkosi was not a soldier.
"On Tuesday, Mandlenkosi shot dead his father Mthandazo and his brother Honest at Plot 53, Makepesi Ranch in Matetsi Conservancy area in Hwange. We are still carrying out investigations to establish the motive behind the shooting," said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
When a Chronicle news crew visited the ranch yesterday afternoon, the Officer Commanding Police in Matabeleland North Province, Senior Assistant Commission Edmore Veterai, senior army officers, detectives and officers from the President's Department were at the scene of the shooting.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai declined to comment on the incident and said he had visited the scene together with the other officers to verify certain issues although he could not elaborate.
However, One Infantry Brigade public relations officer Captain Richard Mhizha confirmed the incident, saying Mandlenkosi grabbed the AK-47 rifle from a soldier who was packing his kit.
"Circumstances are that three ZNA members from 1:2 Infantry Battalion were offered a kudu by Mandlenkosi who was the manager of the conservancy and son of the farm owner. The game meat was meant for a unit function," said Capt Mhizha.
"While at the farmhouse, the owner of the conservancy, Mthandazo, and his other son Honest arrived at the farm and summoned Mandlenkosi for a discussion."
Capt Mhizha said the three family members were then involved in a squabble and the issue seemed to have subsided.
"Mandlenkosi unexpectedly proceeded into the room where one of the soldiers was packing his kit and grabbed an AK-47 rifle from him.
"He proceeded to where his father was resting, shot him dead before shooting his elder brother and later on shot himself in full view of the farm workers," said Capt Mhizha.
He said investigations involving members of the ZNA and the police were in progress.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family for the unfortunate incident.
It could not be established whether the bodies had been removed although the place looked deserted when the news crew visited the farm.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 5pm.
The man, Mandlenkosi Ndlovu, used the Zimbabwe National Army AK-47 rifle to kill his father Mthandazo, his brother Honest and himself.
Confirming the shooting incident, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said Mandlenkosi was not a soldier.
"On Tuesday, Mandlenkosi shot dead his father Mthandazo and his brother Honest at Plot 53, Makepesi Ranch in Matetsi Conservancy area in Hwange. We are still carrying out investigations to establish the motive behind the shooting," said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
When a Chronicle news crew visited the ranch yesterday afternoon, the Officer Commanding Police in Matabeleland North Province, Senior Assistant Commission Edmore Veterai, senior army officers, detectives and officers from the President's Department were at the scene of the shooting.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai declined to comment on the incident and said he had visited the scene together with the other officers to verify certain issues although he could not elaborate.
However, One Infantry Brigade public relations officer Captain Richard Mhizha confirmed the incident, saying Mandlenkosi grabbed the AK-47 rifle from a soldier who was packing his kit.
"While at the farmhouse, the owner of the conservancy, Mthandazo, and his other son Honest arrived at the farm and summoned Mandlenkosi for a discussion."
Capt Mhizha said the three family members were then involved in a squabble and the issue seemed to have subsided.
"Mandlenkosi unexpectedly proceeded into the room where one of the soldiers was packing his kit and grabbed an AK-47 rifle from him.
"He proceeded to where his father was resting, shot him dead before shooting his elder brother and later on shot himself in full view of the farm workers," said Capt Mhizha.
He said investigations involving members of the ZNA and the police were in progress.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family for the unfortunate incident.
It could not be established whether the bodies had been removed although the place looked deserted when the news crew visited the farm.
Source - TC
