Family vows not to bury stab victim, bloody Okapi recovered at Minister's homestead

The family of a Nyamandlovu man who was stabbed to death over a game of snooker on Monday has vowed to let the body rot in the mortuary if the families of the four men accused of having committed the offence do not show remorse.

Four people have been arrested over the fatal stabbing of Bhekinkosi Ndlovu, 28. The bloody Okapi that was used to kill him was allegedly recovered at the homestead of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu.

A funeral wake is being held by the Ndlovu family in Bulawayo's Makokoba suburb. When Chronicle visited Makokoba, Colson Ndlovu, an uncle to the deceased, accused Councillor David Moyo - under whose jurisdiction Ngoma Village falls - of dragging his feet over the issue.

Clr Moyo's son, Ishmael Moyo, his friends Believe Phiri, Witness Phiri and Limukani Sibanda aka Osama, who is employed by Dr Mpofu, are suspects in the murder case.

"We called him and requested that he, as the councillor of the area, brings together the families of all the children involved in this case, but he has failed us," said Ndlovu.

He added: "He told us that his son is not the one who stabbed our son and that we should go to Obert (Minister Mpofu), he also said we should go to the police as he was busy.

"Esintwini inkomo zami zingadla ensimini kamakhelwane ngiyahamba kuye ngiyexola sibonisane ukuthi sikuhambise njani. (If my cattle graze in my neighbour's field I go to him and apologise and we map a way forward)."

"Our son was not sick; we were not prepared for a funeral. Kutsho ukuthi umntwana wethu sezabola emosha siyakuthini nxa kunje (What can we do? This means our son will rot in the mortuary). Clr David has shown us that he is not a leader, Nyamandlovu people are united but the councillor is not united with the people."

Another relative, Njabulo Ncube, said the councillor seemed unaware that they were respecting him because of his position.

"We have respected him by coming to him first as the councillor so that if we have to go to the Minister we go with him as the figure head of our community," said Ncube.

Contacted for comment, Clr Moyo said he was very busy and did not have time to deal with the case at the moment.

"I am very busy right now mntanami. I have a full council meeting tomorrow and right now I am in town trying to collect the minutes for tomorrow," he said.

He added: "I do not understand why they are saying that, I have a very good track record in the community and I work well with everybody. Umlisa and the Chief are in a position to help them in that regard as we are all representatives of the community.

"If it is money that they do not have, they should communicate that and we see what can be done and I am sure the Minister will also be willing to help in that regard."

The headman of Ngoma, Thsaulos Moyo said he suspected the councillor was now confused and that he is stressed over his son.

"This is not how things are done. How can we go to the families without his directive? He has not communicated to us in that regard. If he says we should bring the families together we can do that on his behalf but only after he gives that directive," said Moyo.

Meanwhile, two of the suspects, Limukani Sibanda and Ishmael Moyo appeared in court on Tuesday facing a murder charge. Bulawayo magistrate Maryleen Mutshina remanded them in custody to December 17.