Boy, 16, ‘kills’ rival suitor

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A 16-YEAR-OLD Gwanda boy allegedly killed a 24-year-old man while fighting over a girlfriend, police confirmed. The juvenile allegedly caused the death of Nkosiyazi Zwelithini Mhlanga of Dzidzane village in Guyu area under Chief Nhlamba after he struck him with a log last Sunday. The tragic incident happened at Dzidzane bus stop at around 5PM.

Sources told The Chronicle that Mhlanga was in the company of the juvenile and his friend who is also aged 16 years, at the bus stop.

While the three were at the bus stop chatting, Mhlanga and the juvenile started arguing. The juvenile started accusing Mhlanga of trying to snatch his lover.

The argument heated up resulting in the teenager fatally assaulting Mhlanga.

“While they were at the bus stop, a misunderstanding arose between Mhlanga and the boy. The teenager alleged that Mhlanga had taken his girlfriend.

“He took a log and struck Mhlanga once on the left elbow and once at the back of the neck. Mhlanga fell face down and sustained a deep cut on the right eye and swellings on the left elbow.

“After seeing that Mhlanga had fallen, the boy panicked and fled the scene, leaving behind his friend and the seriously injured Mhlanga who was now bleeding profusely,” said the source.

The boy’s friend who was left with the injured Mhlanga rushed to inform Mhlanga’s uncle about the tragic incident.

“They went to the scene and found Mhlanga still lying on the ground helplessly. They took him to Garanyemba Clinic but he died on the way,” the source said.

A report was made to the police at Guyu leading to the juvenile’s arrest.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda yesterday confirmed the incident.