adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE father of the late Madlambuzi serial rapist turned on mourners who were gathered for his son’s burial and accused them of exaggerating his late son’s crimes and spreading rumours about him on social networks. Ephraim Sibanda who works in Botswana, went on to defend his son’s violent behaviour by denying rape charges that were laid against him.
Sibanda told mourners that were gathered at Murdatroyd Cemetery for the burial of Limukani Sibanda, 24, on Saturday morning that his son only raped a Grade 7 pupil.
He said the rumours that were circulating pushed his son into committing suicide.
Sibanda denied that his late son molested his best friend’s 42-year-old mother, broke both her arms and fractured her skull before raping her and robbing her of R700.
“I’m heartbroken by the passing on of my son. You’ve been spreading rumours on WhatsApp saying that my son did this and that which is all false. The only offence which my son committed was raping our neighbour’s Grade 7 child. I also know that some of you are relieved that he has passed on and you’ll continue with the rumours,” said a bitter Sibanda.
About 70 people converged at the cemetery to pay their last respects to the late Limukani who was found hanging from a tree in a bushy area in Madlambuzi area on Wednesday evening.
A convoy of three cars including a pick-up truck which was carrying Limukani’s body, drove from the Plumtree mortuary at around 10AM to the cemetery where he was laid to rest.
Representatives who were selected to speak on behalf of the family, friends and neighbours of the late Limukani did not have much to say except to thank residents who had converged at the cemetery.
A pastor who delivered words of assurance during the funeral ceremony which lasted for about two hours said the late Limukani’s case was not an exception as all people had committed offences.
Pastor Jephious Ncube of Zion United Church in Plumtree assured the mourners that Limukani was now in a better place.
The decomposed body of Limukani was discovered hanging from a tree close to the neighbourhood where he is reported to have committed his vicious attacks on three people. He is suspected to have died about three weeks before his body was discovered.
He raped a Grade 7 pupil who was on her way to write her examinations, his friend’s 42-year-old mother who is still admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and his ex-girlfriend. He collected a rope from a neighbour’s homestead and went into hiding.
Prior to that, Limukani had poisoned about 40 villagers from his rural home area, torched his girlfriend’s homestead and stole money from his relatives in Plumtree before fleeing to Madlambuzi.
Online Reporter