News / Local
Student murdered for identifying robber
10 Nov 2024 at 10:58hrs | Views
A 23-year-old Bulawayo Polytechnic student, Inobubele Mhlanga, tragically lost her life on Monday evening after being brutally stabbed by two robbers in Cowdray Park, following a mugging incident in which she identified one of her attackers.
Mhlanga had just disembarked from a commuter omnibus near the TM turnoff bus stop when she was accosted by Thamsanqa Ndebele (26) and Euton Sebatha (36), who attacked her in an attempted robbery. The young woman, who was familiar with one of the robbers, had recognized Ndebele, as they both resided in the same neighborhood.
According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube, Mhlanga was found by passers-by lying in a pool of blood near the bus stop around 8:30 p.m. on November 4. She had suffered a penetrative wound above her right breast and several cuts to both hands. A good Samaritan rushed her to Mpilo Central Hospital, but Mhlanga succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
The following morning, police apprehended Playmore Mpofu (27), a known robbery suspect from Cowdray Park. During interrogation, Mpofu confessed to participating in robberies around the area with Ndebele and Sebatha. His information led police to the arrest of the two suspects.
Inspector Ncube confirmed that Ndebele admitted to attacking Mhlanga and stealing her handbag, which contained US$30, with the assistance of Sebatha. Ndebele further revealed that Sebatha had stabbed Mhlanga after she identified him, as they both lived in the same area and were familiar with one another.
The tragic incident has left the Cowdray Park community in shock. Mhlanga was laid to rest at Luveve Cemetery on Thursday.
In light of the incident, police have urged the public to strengthen neighborhood safety measures by reviving community patrols through Neighborhood Watch Committees. "Members of the public are urged to revive the neighbourhood watch committees not only for the purposes of patrols, but also as a way of fostering unity, peace, and love among themselves," Inspector Ncube said.
He added, "An innocent life was lost because of sheer greed from people who knew the deceased. The arrest of the two may assist relatives to find closure."
Mhlanga had just disembarked from a commuter omnibus near the TM turnoff bus stop when she was accosted by Thamsanqa Ndebele (26) and Euton Sebatha (36), who attacked her in an attempted robbery. The young woman, who was familiar with one of the robbers, had recognized Ndebele, as they both resided in the same neighborhood.
According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube, Mhlanga was found by passers-by lying in a pool of blood near the bus stop around 8:30 p.m. on November 4. She had suffered a penetrative wound above her right breast and several cuts to both hands. A good Samaritan rushed her to Mpilo Central Hospital, but Mhlanga succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
The following morning, police apprehended Playmore Mpofu (27), a known robbery suspect from Cowdray Park. During interrogation, Mpofu confessed to participating in robberies around the area with Ndebele and Sebatha. His information led police to the arrest of the two suspects.
Inspector Ncube confirmed that Ndebele admitted to attacking Mhlanga and stealing her handbag, which contained US$30, with the assistance of Sebatha. Ndebele further revealed that Sebatha had stabbed Mhlanga after she identified him, as they both lived in the same area and were familiar with one another.
The tragic incident has left the Cowdray Park community in shock. Mhlanga was laid to rest at Luveve Cemetery on Thursday.
In light of the incident, police have urged the public to strengthen neighborhood safety measures by reviving community patrols through Neighborhood Watch Committees. "Members of the public are urged to revive the neighbourhood watch committees not only for the purposes of patrols, but also as a way of fostering unity, peace, and love among themselves," Inspector Ncube said.
He added, "An innocent life was lost because of sheer greed from people who knew the deceased. The arrest of the two may assist relatives to find closure."
Source - newsday
