Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A 38-YEAR-OLD man died days after allegedly being slapped during a heated argument, following a drinking session in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb.
Mandlenkosi Mlotshwa succumbed to his injuries at Mpilo Central Hospital on 28 June, three days after his friend’s teenage son slapped him for exchanging heated words with his dad.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway.
Mlotshwa was drinking with three friends at his home along Third Street, Makokoba, on 25 June at around 8pm when one of the men insulted him, sparking a heated confrontation.
The man left the scene before returning with his Sibusiso Banda (19).
On arrival, Banda confronted Mlotshwa and slapped him once..
The force of the slap allegedly caused Mlotshwa to fall backwards and hit his head against a wall before the father and son left the scene.
The following morning, relatives found Mlotshwa unconscious and unable to speak or see properly. He was rushed to
Mpilo Central Hospital where doctors diagnosed a blood clot in his head. He later died.
Police have since arrested Banda in connection with the case.
The deceased’s sister, Sithulisiwe Mlotshwa, said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“It all happened so fast. Before we knew it, things had escalated,” she said.
She said the accused struck her brother without first trying to understand what had happened.
“The next day he could not speak properly and could not see well. That is when we rushed him to Mpilo Hospital.”
Mlotshwa leaves behind two school-going children and was the family’s breadwinner.
In a rare gesture, Rosemary Banda, the accused’s mother, said both families had lived as neighbours for years and were devastated by the incident.
“We are willing to help in any way we can regarding the funeral,” she said.
Inspector Msebele urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully, warning that even seemingly minor confrontations can quickly turn deadly. She also appealed to families to play a greater role in guiding young people and promoting peaceful conflict resolution within communities.
