Chronicle Editor
Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A ZIMBABWEAN based in South Africa was allegedly electrocuted while taking a bath recently.
Armstrong Dube (33) of Bubude area in Tsholotsho died last Thursday in his apartment in Johannesburg but his family said yesterday that they suspect foul play.
His mother, Ms Junior Moyo told The Chronicle that she did not understand how that could have happened.
She said she suspects that he was killed and an electric current was passed through his body to conceal evidence.
“I received a phone call on Thursday afternoon from one of his friends who just said my son had died while bathing. I suspect foul play because I cannot imagine how one gets electrocuted while bathing. I feel there is another side to the story which they are not telling me.
“The guy who phoned us said when Armstrong was struck for the first time; he was flung some distance from the bath tub. When he got struck the second time, he died on the spot.
“They didn’t explain if there were electric cables in the bath or what. So far no one has explained to me how this really happened. Maybe if they say he was struck by lightning — but still it is not yet raining… everything is so unbelievable,” she said.
Ms Moyo said she has lost four sons within three years, out of the six she had.
“I suspect a serious spirit is moving within my family as I have lost three more sons who were also based in South Africa, as well as my husband.
“I cannot express how I feel right now because this is now scaring me. Losing a child every year, all coming back from South Africa, is difficult to stomach.
Two came back home, seriously sick, only to die in my arms while two others have died in bizarre ways and this includes their father who also died last year,” she said.
A family member who preferred anonymity said Armstrong’s death had come as a shocker because when he was home recently, he seemed in good health and was full of energy.
“We are failing to come to terms with his death. People in South Africa do unbelievable things especially for money and umuthi. This young man may have been killed and electrocuted to conceal evidence.
“If anyone has a better explanation about his death, we are all ears and would appreciate the information,” he said.
The Chronicle visited the bereaved family at their homestead and caught up with Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Zenzo Sibanda, who had come to pay his condolences to the family.
Cde Sibanda said: “It is sad to note how the constituency keeps losing people in the neighbouring country, South Africa. About three bodies are brought in for burial every month and this is sad.
“Many leave for the neighbouring country to seek employment but sadly many of them have returned in coffins.”
The burial date had not yet been set as family was still waiting for the body to come from South Africa. —@winnie_masara
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