Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
BULAWAYO police have opened an investigation into the suspected murder of a man from Emakhandeni suburb, who died a few hours after his mother found him lying in a pool of rainwater inside the family yard yesterday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Daniel Phiri (33).
He is known to have worked odd jobs in the city centre.
On Monday, at about midnight, Phiri’s mother went outside the house intending to use the bathroom when she saw him lying intoxicated at the gate.
Some Emakhandeni houses have outside ablution and shower facilities.
“Police are investigating a suspected murder case where a 33-old man lost his life under unclear circumstances in Emakhandeni,” said police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
The deceased’s brother Mr Anderson Phiri said the family is seeking answers following his brother’s death.
“My mother wanted to use the toilet when he saw Sgubhu (Daniel) lying on the ground, close to the gate. He was soaking wet and shivering from the cold as it was raining when we found him lying in the yard. Together with my mother, we helped him into the house,” he said.
“I got an extra blanket to keep him warm throughout the night but we didn’t notice that he was injured,” said Mr Phiri.
The deceased was fondly known as “Sgubhu” to his family, friends and community.
“It’s only in the morning when we discovered that he had a deep cut on the side of his head and some bruises on his body. We suspect something sinister happened to my brother and we are seeking answers as a family,” he said.
One of his pair of jean trousers pockets had reportedly been cut off and a satchel that he carried most of the time was missing.
The deceased was known to survive on odd jobs in the city centre including touting.
Bongani Ndlovu