Man (42) found dead could have been 'murdered'

A man from Mvuthu near Victoria Falls was on Sunday morning found dead with injuries on the head in a suspected murder case, The Chronicle reported.
 
Villagers told the publication they suspected Lungisani Sibanda, 42, was killed and his body dumped on the road to make it appear like he was a victim of a hit and run accident.

Sibanda from BH27 under Chief Mvuthu about 25km from Victoria Falls town was employed by China Jiangsu which is carrying out construction work at the Victoria Falls International Airport.

He died a day after getting his bonus payment.

Police Officer commanding Victoria Falls District Chief Superintendent Kairos Chiwona said: "We had a report of a hit and run accident that left one dead. However, there are fears from some circles that it could be murder and we're investigating both options."

Villagers said the injuries on the body, suggested Sibanda was murdered.

"We're still in shock because we saw him with his friends Pawu Sakala from BH11, Aleck Ndlovu of BH27 and another one called Shoko who stays in the resettlement areas. They always drink beer together. The truth will come out, its only that people are afraid of being witnesses in such cases," said a witness from the shops.

Sibanda got paid and had bought his groceries which he had already sent home and remained drinking with friends.

A bartender at Mathe's Sports Bar where Sibanda and his friends were reportedly drinking said he last saw them at around 12 midnight when he closed the bar.

"They came to drink here around 11PM and left around midnight when we closed. We were shocked in the morning to hear that Sibanda was hit by a car. Everything is not adding up. We knew Sibanda as a quiet person who hardly picked a fight," said the bar man.

The Chronicle caught up with Lungisani's father Japan Sibanda, 69, who alleged foul play.

"He was off duty and he went to drink at BH10 with a friend. Later they were phoned by their friend Pawu Sakala who had knocked off from work and they teamed up to drink at Lupinyu," said Sibanda.

It is alleged that Ndlovu left the deceased with Sakala as he went home at midnight.

"I suspect foul play. His friends should know something because they were always together and how come this time they weren't around when tragedy struck. If police are to investigate they should start with my son's friends," said Sibanda.

"I was in the fields at 6AM when I received a phone call that my son had been hit by a car. My son died a painful death. He wasn't that kind of a person who would pick a fight after drinking."

Lungisani reportedly had injuries on both ears and a deep cut on the head above the right ear.

Sibanda did not dispute claims that his son fought over a woman but said they were waiting for investigations.

A neighbour Fanuel Jamba from BH11 said he checked Lungisani's body closely and observed there were no other injuries.

"What baffles one's mind is the fact that when we received the news that Lungisani had been hit by a car, people asked Pawu where his friend was and he said he left him standing by the roadside. What a coincidence and the body is found at the same spot."

He added: "That raised suspicion and people questioned why Pawu decided to go home around 6AM when he was supposed to start work that morning. I closely looked at the body and there are injuries on both ears and a deep cut on the head above the right ear. Arms and legs have no injuries."

Lungisani's body was found with the head on the edge of the road while the legs were stretched away from the road.

No arrest has been made while Lungisani's body is at Victoria Falls District Hospital Mortuary.