Online Reporter
TWO men from Mphoengs will rot behind bars for the brutal murders of two villagers, whose bodies they callously dumped in a community well.
Unaware of the horrific truth, villagers happily drank the water, even commenting on its “great taste”.
Modiri Dube and Methuli Ncube thought they could get away with their heinous acts, but Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Ngoni Nduna ensured justice was served swiftly and severely.
The pair had pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.
They spun a tale, claiming the first victim, Million Moyo, was a jealous lover who attacked them for “snatching” his girlfriend, arguing they acted in self-defence. They painted Moyo as the aggressor.
However, the court found their story riddled with inconsistencies, exposing significant holes in their fabricated defence.
“You took two lives in cold blood and tried to erase the evidence by dumping the bodies in a water source,” Justice Nduna said, before sentencing each man to 40 years — 20 for each murder count.
On October 31 last year, Dube and Ncube crept into Million Moyo’s yard under the cover of darkness. Moyo, still awake, heard suspicious footsteps and confronted them.
This decision cost him his life.
They stabbed him in the chest with a sharp object, causing him to collapse and die on his own property. To hide their tracks, the killers dragged his corpse to a local well, where residents fetched water, and dumped it inside.
But their bloodlust was not satisfied.
Later that same night, the deadly duo stormed the home of Bhekinkosi Ncube, targeting money.
Bhekinkosi emerged swinging a knobkerrie, unaware his life was seconds from ending.
Dube and Ncube hit Bhekinkosi’s head with a brick, sending him to the ground.
The two then plunged a shoe needle into his chest, delivering a fatal blow. Again, they threw the body into the well, hoping their horrific acts would remain undiscovered.
Their reign of terror ended when body parts began surfacing in the water source. A terrified villager alerted the police, who launched an investigation and quickly apprehended the murderous pair.
Now, with 40 years of prison bars ahead, Dube and Ncube will have ample time to reflect on their night of death in a well-deserved cell.
Justice may take time, but it never forgets. — B-Metro
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Woman stabs man, makes false police report
A woman who allegedly stabbed a man she owed money in the chest after he demanded repayment has been arrested and is facing attempted murder charges.
Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Mouldy Chinhengo Takaidza (23) of Hobhouse, Mutare, in connection with the stabbing of Praymore Masuka (28).
The incident occurred in Penhalonga, though the exact amount of the debt was not disclosed by the police.
According to Asst Insp Chinyoka, the incident unfolded around 7pm on May 13 at Penhalonga shops. Masuka approached Takaidza, seeking repayment for money owed.
Takaidza informed him she did not have the money.
“Masuka insisted that he wanted his money back and persistently asked for it. This angered Takaidza, who picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed Masuka once on the left side of the chest,” said the police spokesperson.
The attack occurred at a food outlet and the knife used in the assault has not been recovered.
Asst Insp Chinyoka said that after the stabbing, Masuka collapsed. Takaidza then left him and reportedly went to ZRP Penhalonga, where she made a false report claiming Masuka had attacked her, prompting her to retaliate in self-defence.
Masuka was transported to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare by a good Samaritan, where he remains admitted and is reportedly fighting for his life.
“However, the following day, a report of assault was made at ZRP Penhalonga and police officers attended the scene,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
“The police proceeded to the hospital to check on Masuka’s condition and noted that he had a deep cut on the left side of the chest. They also observed that his condition is serious. He had no struggling marks on his body. The matter was then changed from a mere assault to attempted murder due to the seriousness of Masuka’s condition.”
Asst Insp Chinyoka said that the knife used by Takaidza has not been recovered.
Takaidza was subsequently arrested. — Manica Post
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Cops accused of torture
Three police officers are facing a barrage of accusations in a Bulawayo court, where four women have recounted a harrowing tale of “prisoner of war” style torture, including buttock beatings; forced water consumption, leading to vomiting; and sexual harassment within police walls.
The accused, Evans Chikwanha (39), Denfart Ncube (32) and Khumbulani Bangu (43) appeared before magistrate Challenge Mahembe facing four counts of assault.
The magistrate heard how
the officers allegedly displayed unprovoked aggression bordering on the
homicidal.
According to court papers, the alleged chaos erupted on September 27, 2024 at a police base at Shangani Business Centre.
The four women, whose names are being withheld for ethical reasons, had arrived to drop off food for a detained relative. What began as a routine visit allegedly spiralled into a nightmare.
During cross-examination, the women testified that the officers forced them to lie face down on the cold ground, then whipped their buttocks with batons in what they described as a humiliating “discipline session” straight from a torture chamber.
“They kept saying we were too loud and needed to be taught a lesson,” one victim told the court.
Seemingly revelling in the pain and humiliation, the officers allegedly escalated their torment with more “fiendish torture techniques”. The court heard that the women were forced to gulp down 10 cups of water each, to the point of vomiting.
“We were choking and puking. It felt like waterboarding!” another victim recounted.
The situation took a disturbing turn when the women claimed that as they lay helpless and shirtless, the officers allegedly kissed them and solicited sex.
“One of them even unbuttoned his shirt and tried to force a kiss while I was crying,” one of the victims testified, holding back tears in court.
The accused trio, who are out on US$200 bail each, pleaded not guilty through their lawyer. They claimed the women were drunk and disorderly, shouting at the charge office and inciting a crowd.
“They were disturbing the peace and refused to leave when ordered. We used minimum force,” their lawyer argued.
However, the magistrate appeared unconvinced. The trial is set to continue on May 19, with the public watching closely. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Man stabbed by brother in infidelity dispute
Nkulumane residents were left stunned after a family argument spiralled into violence, leaving one man stabbed, allegedly by his own brother, during a heated dispute over infidelity claims.
The explosive incident occurred early Monday morning when Thulani Ncube accused his younger brother, Albert, of having an affair with his wife.
Sources close to the family revealed that Thulani had harboured suspicions for weeks and finally snapped after reportedly discovering “flirty” messages on his wife’s
phone.
“He stormed into the house shouting, ‘You are banging my wife!’ while pointing at Albert,” recounted a neighbour who wished to remain anonymous.
“The tension was crazy; we could hear the shouting from next door.”
Albert vehemently denied the allegations, claiming his brother was delusional. However, the situation escalated when their elder brother, Brighton Ncube, intervened.
“Brighton tried to calm them down, but he took Albert’s side,” said another neighbour, MaMoyo.
“That only made things worse. Next thing, Thulani was bleeding.”
In a shocking turn, Brighton allegedly pulled out a screwdriver and stabbed Thulani in the chest during the chaos before fleeing the scene. Thulani collapsed in the corridor, his T-shirt drenched in blood.
His horrified wife screamed for help, rushing to neighbours for assistance.
“I was in my yard when I heard the commotion. When I rushed over, I saw Thulani lying on the floor, groaning in pain,”
said Mpofu, a retired security guard living nearby.
“It was like a horror scene. Blood was everywhere.”
Tshabalala police were immediately alerted and responded swiftly, alongside Bulawayo City Council ambulance crew. Thulani was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he is currently being treated for serious chest injuries.
The suspect, Brighton, is on the run and police have launched a manhunt for him.
Police had not commented by the time of going to press. — B-Metro
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