Friend kills man over $6 debt

Residents of Ward 25, Nketa, Bulawayo were left shocked after a man was reportedly killed by a friend over a US$6 debt.

Witnesses said the victim and the suspect, who were friends, got into a confrontation on Wednesday night. Neighbours attempted to intervene, but the fight turned fatal. The victim was allegedly confined in a locked room with the suspect's girlfriend, who reportedly cared for him until he passed away.

"The suspect later went to the victim's house after more than two days and told the mother that her son was unwell and asked her to collect him," residents said. Allegedly, the suspect and an accomplice, still at large, bathed the victim and dressed him in clean clothes to conceal his injuries.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Nomalanga Msebele said she was not yet aware of the incident but would seek more information.

Ward 25 councillor Aleck Ndlovu linked the tragedy to rising drug and substance abuse in the community. "Drug and substance abuse is very dangerous and quite prevalent nowadays. Lack of employment further exacerbates the problem, leading youths to resort to drugs," he said.

Councillor Ndlovu urged residents to report drug-related activities through police toll-free numbers, warning that unchecked substance abuse could have wider consequences on the community and the economy.