Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A 43-YEAR-OLD Nkulumane man axed his wife to death and severely beat up his three children after they refused to help him cover up the offence.
Ackim Bongani Dube left the axe stuck in his wife, Memory Makathini’s head and allegedly called his children aged 15, 12 and one year to see their dead mum.
The brutal attack, which occurred around 1 AM on 24 July, has sent shockwaves through the Nkulumane community.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele told B-Metro police had arrested Dube and he is facing a murder charge.
Investigators are yet to reveal the motive for the killing.
A Family member who talked to B-Metro said: “We are a hurting family trying to come to terms with what has happened. As the Makathini family, we are holding family discussions to decide the way forward.
“At this difficult time, all we ask is for justice and peace of mind. We hope the law will take its course so that our family can begin to heal.”
Sources close to the incident said a co-tenant heard loud shouting coming from the family’s room as the accused argued with his children.
During the commotion, the co-tenant allegedly heard Dube repeatedly shouting that he was “already done with their mother.”
The couple’s eldest son, aged 15, was asleep with his 12-year-old sibling when he heard his father shouting from the parents’ bedroom while carrying their one-year-old brother.
The sources said Dube ordered the two boys to enter the bedroom.
When they switched on the lights, the children made the horrifying discovery of their mother lying lifeless on the floor with an axe embedded in her head.
Instead of allowing the children to seek help, Dube turned his anger on them, assaulting the terrified boys.
Dube forced his eldest son outside and ordered him to smash the house’s window panes and a security screen door using a brick, allegedly in a bid to create the impression that robbers had broken in and killed his wife.
He was threatening and assaulting him with an iron bar.
The boy, sources said, refused to comply.
Dube proceeded to his co-tenant’s room and attempted to force his way inside, prompting the frightened neighbour to alert police.
Officers responded swiftly and arrested him before the situation escalated further.
The children sustained injuries during the ordeal and have been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.
The body of Memory Makathini was taken for a post-mortem as investigations continue.
Insp Msebele urged families experiencing domestic disputes to seek help before conflicts escalate into violence, while warning that perpetrators of gender-based violence will face the full wrath of the law.
