Vusumuzi DubePOLICE in Bulawayo have arrested a murder suspect Justice Mpofu, 15 years after he allegedly shot and killed a patron at a bottle store in the Hope Fountain area on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
Police spokesperson for Bulawayo Province, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest of Mpofu, also known as Ryan Ncube.
The 39-year-old who hails from Nkulumane high-density suburb had been a fugitive for over a decade.
Mpofu was located and arrested after police got a tip-off from concerned members of the public regarding his presence in the community.
He is accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old Peter Sithole on April 14, 2010 in the Hope Fountain communal area while at a bottle store with other patrons.
“When the offense occurred, Mpofu was accompanied by co-accused Thabani Solomon Mahlaba (now deceased) and Shadreck Zvigo (who remains at large). They entered the bottle store armed with a pistol,” Ass Insp Msebele said.
Mpofu and his accomplices, she said, allegedly began firing shots randomly into the ceiling, ordering patrons to lie on the floor.
It was during the melee that Mpofu reportedly shot Sithole in the head resulting in his immediate death.
The suspects then jumped behind the counter and a till with cash amounting to ZAR 528 as well as two speakers and an amplifier.
They also confiscated two mobile phones from patrons before fleeing the scene.
Thabani Solomon Mahlaba was later arrested on April 24, 2010 in Zvishavane following a shoot-out with detectives. After the arrest he led them to his residence where two pistols, two disco speakers and an omega amplifier were recovered.
Ass Insp Msebele said on January 11, detectives received a tip that Mpofu was planning to visit his in-laws in Nkulumane.
“Acting on this information, police arrested him and searched his white Toyota Mark X, finding a black pellet pistol and a silver flip knife. They also discovered a valid Zimbabwean driver’s license bearing his photo under the name Ryan Ncube,” she said.
During the investigation, Mpofu was asked about the whereabouts of his co-accused, Shadreck Zvigo whom he said he last saw on the day the crime was committed.
“We appreciate the public for providing information that led to the arrest of the suspect,” Ass Insp Msebele said.
“We want to remind everyone that no matter how long one tries to hide from justice, the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them.”
She further urged the public to refrain from violent behaviour emphasising the unnecessary loss of life it can cause. — New Ziana
Online Reporter