Online Reporter
Anesu Dhliwayo, Sunday News Reporter
Masendu village in Bulilima district was rocked by a violent incident after a man allegedly attacked a woman while demanding the whereabouts of a child he claimed to have a long-standing grudge against.
Villagers said the suspect, identified as Lisani Nleya, who is suspected to be mentally challenged, attacked Lahliwe Tshuma, accusing her of hiding her son. According to witnesses, Nleya insisted that he would not rest until he found the child, claiming he had been “even dreaming about him.”
“He kept demanding to know where her son was, saying he would not stop looking for him,” said one villager who asked not to be named. “He was very aggressive and threatening.”
During the attack, Nleya reportedly became increasingly rowdy, leading to the burning down of the homestead.
“We tried to intervene, but the situation quickly got out of hand,” another villager said. “He set the homestead on fire, and everything was destroyed.”
Villagers revealed that this was not the first time Nleya had targeted the Tshuma family. In 2020, he allegedly burnt down Tshuma’s homestead in a similar incident, leaving her homeless.
“After the first attack, she had no choice but to go and stay with her daughter and son-in-law,” a local resident said. “Now it has happened again, and the family is living in fear.”
Community members have expressed concern over recurring attacks and are calling for authorities to intervene to prevent further violence.
Police were yet to issue an official statement on the matter at the time of writing.
