Boy shot dead at farm

A teenager from Zhombe was fatally shot in the head by a farm security guard after he allegedly trespassed onto a farm while looking for stray cattle.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday at around 9pm at Hopton Sub-Division 3 Farm, Sessombi, Zhombe. She said Blessed Dube allegedly trespassed onto the farm with three other men looking for their stray cattle.

"I can confirm that we are investigating a matter in which Blessed Dube of Village Mloyiswa, Chief Ntabeni, Zhombe was found dead with a wound at the back of his head. He was searching for cattle at Hopton Farm with Worship Ncube (18), Walter Dube (19), Vine Dube (20)," she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the four men had lit a fire to prepare food when they were seen by the security guard.

"The four lit fire to prepare food at about 9pm and the fire was noticed by the accused David Stefano (47), who is a security guard at a the farm," she said. "Stefano, who was on duty, approached the four armed with a shot gun. Stefano fired two shots towards them and they fled in different directions, leaving their satchels and pots at the spot."

Asst Insp Mukwende said the other three did not know about the whereabouts of Blessing until the next morning when they returned for their belongings and found him dead. "The other three later regrouped at Bobs Business Centre, Zhombe and slept there, but they did not know the whereabouts of Blessed," she said.

"The next morning around 7am, Walter returned to the farm to collect their belongings and discovered the body of Blessed near the place where they had lit the fire.

"The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene and took the body of the deceased to Zhombe Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem."

Asst Insp Mukwende said police are still investigating the matter, adding that Stefano is in police custody. She appealed to members of the public to be cautious when using firearms.