Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
The family of a man who died after being beaten up by his brother and two other relatives are finding it hard to come to terms with the tragedy but believe the law must take its course.
The victim, Thulisiwe Ndlovu (38) was allegedly fatally assaulted by his brother Thulani Ndlovu (40), of Pumula North, and step brothers Mkhokheli Ncube (31) and Nephani Sibanda (31) both of Entumbane following an argument over beer.
The incident occurred in Pumula North early this month and the victim, who had been battling for life since the assault, died last Thursday and was buried on Sunday at his rural home in Filabusi.
Thulisiwe, who lived in Pumula North, grew up in Magwegwe West and was married with two children.
In an interview, family spokesperson Mr Bongani Ndlovu said: “It’s very hard to comprehend that this happened and it involves brothers. Thulani who was arrested is Thulisiwe’s blood brother and the other two that are involved are step brothers. They grew up together. What we know is that they fought over what we are still to establish as the person who was supposed to tell the full story, Thulisiwe, is dead. We are waiting for the police,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“What is strange to us is that the brother was arrested, but the three, Nephas Sibanda, Blessed Ncube and Mkhokheli Ncube have since disappeared, after being released on bail.
“We met as a family and spoke about the issue and there were some mixed feelings, but at the end of the day, the family said the law must run its course. It should bring everyone to book. If the law doesn’t take its course, it will make others doubt it.”
Mr Ndlovu said they hope they will heal from the tragedy.
“Of course, there are many who are hurt by this whole situation and it pains us that Thulisiwe is dead. But for the sake of justice, I think if the law takes its course and is fair, then the person who committed the crime should take responsibility. This might bring some healing to some, perhaps not total healing, but some sort of healing to their hearts. Even the one who committed the crime, this might help the accused or the one who committed the crime,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Mr Ndlovu was accompanied by Mr Tholani Ndlovu, the victim’s younger brother.
“I believe that there were actually four people that assaulted my brother, the three and Blessed Ncube, Mkhokheli’s younger brother. So, Mkhokheli and Thulisiwe were fighting while the others were watching, then my brother hit their kombi windscreen. They came out of the car and that’s how the others ganged up on him and started to beat him up. A week later they arrested Thulani, Blessed ran away. My brother was released on bail and the others were not charged,” said the young brother.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.
“The three accused persons were drinking beer together in Pumula North, Bulawayo. A misunderstanding over beer arose among the group which resulted in the accused persons assaulting the now deceased,” said Insp Ncube.
“One of the accused persons went on to pick a stone and hit the now deceased on the head. The now deceased sustained a cut on the head and was bleeding profusely before he was ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted.
“Police managed to arrest one accused person Thulani Ndlovu on that same day (October 2) and the other two accused persons were arrested on October 13 and on October 21, 2021 at around 1.15PM police received a report that the now deceased had passed on,” said Inspector Ncube._ Follow on Twitter @bonganinkunzi
Online Reporter