adminThandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
A Lupane man who was axed and burnt last year by an injiva accusing him of having an affair with his wife has died, a year after being admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. The man, Mr Lamulani Sibanda at that time miraculously escaped death by a whisker when the injiva axed him, poured paraffin all over his body before setting him alight for allegedly having an affair with his wife.
Since the incident, which occurred on 19 June 2012, Mr Sibanda has been hospitalised at Mpilo Central Hospital and was last month referred back to St Lukes where he died on Saturday.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Matabeleland North police provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said the murder suspect was still at large.
“We received a report of a man who died on Saturday after a full year in hospital. The man, Lamulani Sibanda was axed and burnt last year by a man who accused him of having an affair with his wife.
“The murder suspect who is still on the run, Lethukuthula Mpofu (25) who is believed to be in South Africa where he works, heard rumours that his wife was cheating. He then returned to the country and attacked Mr Sibanda before disappearing,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
She said the late Mr Sibanda sustained serious burns and was taken to St Luke’s Hospital from where he was transferred to Mpilo.
“After spending a year at Mpilo Central Hospital, Mr Sibanda was referred back to St Lukes Hospital in Lupane where upon arrival, he died.
“We are now with a murder case and we appeal to members of the public to help us locate Mpofu who has been on the run since last year,” she said.
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