Vusumuzi Dube
Sunday News Reporter
Residents of Nketa 7 in Bulawayo have been left shaken and deeply concerned following the sudden and mysterious disappearance of one of their neighbours, Ms Nothabo Dube.
Known for her resilience and quiet strength, Nothabo’s vanishing has sparked fears for her safety, particularly in light of the troubling circumstances she endured in recent years.
Nothabo’s life took a tumultuous turn after the passing of her uncle, Mr Jetro Nyathi, in December 2021.
Having lived with Mr Nyathi and his sons, Nhlanganiso and Denzel Nyathi, since the age of five due to the loss of her parents, Nothabo was regarded as a model child by the community.
Her uncle, who had grown particularly fond of her, left the family house and his commuter omnibus business to Nothabo in his will.
This decision, however, did not sit well with her cousins.
A neighbour, who spoke to the media under anonymity, described the tension that followed:
“Nothabo was like a daughter to her uncle, and she truly deserved what she was given. But her cousins, especially Denzel, refused to accept it. They accused her of being an outsider and harassed her endlessly. We all saw how things started to go downhill for her after that.”
Denzel Nyathi, a known Zanu-PF youth member, reportedly began using his political influence to intimidate and harass his cousin.
According to the neighbours, Denzel had been heard boasting that he would not stop until he reclaimed the house and business, believing they rightfully belonged to the Nyathi family. Meanwhile, Nhlanganiso Nyathi, who had relocated to South Africa, was rumored to have turned to a life of crime as an armed robber, was also putting pressure on Nothabo.
The harassment escalated to horrifying levels when, at one point, Nothabo was allegedly attacked and raped by a gang that initially claimed to be from the local taxi association.
Neighbours later learned that the gang may have been sent by Denzel in his bid to break her spirit and force her to relinquish control of the inheritance.
Now, with the news of Nothabo’s disappearance, the community is gripped by worry.
A neighbour expressed their fears, saying:
“We are scared for her life. Denzel has been saying for a long time that he would get rid of her, and now she is gone. She has suffered enough, and it is heartbreaking to think she might be in danger again.”
The community has urged the authorities to investigate Denzel’s role in Nothabo’s disappearance and provide answers. Many have voiced frustration over what they see as a lack of accountability due to Denzel’s political connections, which they believe have emboldened his actions over the years.
As the search for Nothabo continues, residents of Nketa 7 are calling for increased police attention and protection for vulnerable individuals in the community.
They hope that justice will prevail and that Nothabo will be found safe.
For now, her disappearance remains an unsettling mystery, leaving questions about the extent of the threats she faced and the lengths her tormentors may have gone to silence her.
Online Reporter