Man faces attemp­ted murder charge over gos­sip stabbing

Two men from Matabeleland provinces have been remanded in custody after appearing in court over separate alleged attempted murder incidents.

Prosper Thamsanqa Mhlanga (25), from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mark Dzira, facing charges of attempted murder. Mhlanga allegedly stabbed Gift Mpofu with an Okapi knife on 29 December at Clare­mont Business Centre after accusing him of spreading gossip.

State prosecutor Ms Nomthandazo Mafu told the court that Mhlanga "fumed before reaching for a knife from his jacket and randomly stabbed Mpofu, leaving him lying in a pool of blood." Mpofu reportedly collapsed at the scene from severe bleeding. The accused then fled, later threatening residents with a machete while demanding food.

Mhlanga was remanded in custody until 14 January. He was advised of his right to legal representation and to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court.

In a separate case, Khuzani Ndlovu from Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North, appeared before the same court for remand after allegedly setting his mother-in-law's hut on fire while she was inside.

According to Ms Siphiwe Mhlanga, Ndlovu first hurled insults at his mother-in-law, then locked the hut with wire before igniting it. "The elderly woman screamed for help, and neighbours rushed to save her, breaking down the door just in time. Villagers chased after Ndlovu, caught him, and handed him over to the police," she said.

Ndlovu was also remanded in custody until 14 January for the commencement of his trial.

Both cases highlight ongoing concerns over violent disputes in the region, with police appealing for community vigilance and timely reporting of incidents.