Man found dead

Shamiso Dzingire Chronicle Reporter
A BULAWAYO man was found dead yesterday morning in Old Pumula and his family suspects foul play. Jimmy Mahlangu, 49, was found by a passer-by lying in a pool of blood in a bushy area near Pumula’s Open Hall. He is alleged to have been murdered on his way home from Mtamba Night Club in the same suburb.

He had a deep cut in the head suspected to have been caused by a sharp object, and his body had bruises.

When The Chronicle news crew visited the alleged murder scene, his body had already been ferried to the mortuary.

Family spokesperson Sipho Mahlangu said she was failing to come to terms with her brother’s death.

She said her brother’s two cellphones were missing and he had no money on his person, but police who searched his body recovered his keys.

“I last saw my brother fit and well yesterday (Saturday) when he was leaving for the bar. I was informed by my neighbours around 7AM that my brother had been found dead near the hall,” she said.

“I rushed to the scene only to find my brother lying in a pool of his own blood. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Blood was still oozing from his mouth and from a deep cut he sustained in his head.”

Mahlangu said she suspects that one of his girlfriends, who allegedly fought over him at the night club on Saturday night, had a hand in her brother’s death.

“I heard that two women fought over Jimmy at the bar. I suspect one of them hatched a plan to have him killed,” she said.

She alleged that one of his girlfriends whom she identified by name, arrived at her home with blood stained clothes saying she had been beaten up by people.

“I understand she has been taken by the police for questioning,” she said.

The family spokesperson said they are still waiting for their parents to arrive from their rural home in Tsholotsho for burial arrangements to be finalised.

Residents who spoke to The Chronicle expressed shock over the incident.

“Jimmy was a very friendly person. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew him. I still can’t believe he’s gone,” said a neighbour who preferred anonymity.

Efforts to get comment from Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango were fruitless as her mobile phone went unanswered.