Plumtree knife murder, cops hold man

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
PLUMTREE police investigating the stabbing death of a 30-year-old man say they have arrested his neighbour.
Investigators believe Bekezela Mpofu, 35, killed Nkululeko Sibanda, 30, in a frenzied knife attack after suspecting him of having an affair with his wife.
Sibanda’s body was found with 13 stab wounds last month as police launched a manhunt for Mpofu.
Chief Superintendent Macdonald Samuriwo, the Officer Commanding Bulilima-Mangwe district, said yesterday: “Mpofu is now in police custody and is being held at Mphoengs Police Station. We expect him to be transported to Plumtree where he will also be appearing in court tomorrow.”

Mpofu was arrested on Tuesday evening in the Mphoengs area.
Police sources say he will claim in court that Sibanda “deserved to die” for infecting him and his wife with HIV through their affair.

Minutes before the violent killing of Sibanda, Mpofu is alleged to have first stabbed his wife, Bekezela Ndlovu, 25, on her left hip after accusing her of being unfaithful.
He also accused her of having secret meetings with their neighbour.

After stabbing his wife, Mpofu is alleged to have force-marched her to Sibanda’s house at night.
He confronted his neighbour whom he stabbed 13 times – twice on the left rib, twice on the chest, once on the neck, five times on the left hand, twice on the right thigh and once on his right knee – before fleeing from the scene, police say.