Police arrest suspects in Luveve double murder probe

POLICE in Bulawayo arrested several suspects on Wednesday night in connection with the double murder of two family members following a violent altercation outside a Luveve nightclub earlier this week. The arrests were made in the New Magwegwe suburb as part of a probe into the brutal fight that left Bishop Ncube (46) and Malach Ndlovu (40) dead.

The violence, which occurred early on Tuesday morning and allegedly involved seven suspects believed to be artisanal gold miners, resulted in Ncube sustaining deep head and thigh wounds. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Mpilo Central Hospital. Ndlovu was later found dead a few metres from the scene in Luveve, also with multiple stab wounds. Both victims were residents of Lobengula West and Luveve respectively.

“As part of police investigations to bring the suspects involved in the Luveve double murder to book, several individuals were arrested and taken in for questioning. However, the suspects were released after they failed to match the descriptions provided by witnesses at the scene,” said Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu.

An eyewitness in New Magwegwe said a team of detectives swooped on a group of men who were drinking outside an establishment at around 9PM on Wednesday night.

“We had no idea the police had surrounded the place until detectives suddenly pounced on a group of men who were drinking together.

“It was only after the police had arrested them and driven off that someone mentioned they were wanted in connection with the murder of two men in Luveve,” said the eyewitness.

Tapiwanashe Mapfumo, proprietor of the Luveve nightclub outside which the fatal altercation occurred, said CCTV footage captured one man being attacked by several individuals.

“Footage from cameras monitoring the area outside the club shows a group of people arguing before one of the men collapses. We will leave it to the police to carry out further investigations,” said Mapfumo.

The double murder has sent shockwaves through the Luveve community, with residents urging police to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Residents’ association leader, Petronella Mguni, said the community was deeply disturbed by the violent incident that claimed two lives. She noted that some entertainment venues in the area operate well beyond legal hours, often resulting in violent confrontations.

“Nightclubs must adhere to legal closing times to prevent unruly behaviour by patrons who drink excessively and end up fighting. We don’t feel safe living in an area where people can be murdered and the attackers disappear without a trace,” said Mguni.

Another resident, Nomvelo Moyo, said the use of illegal substances and drugs was fuelling violence in the area.
“People come from all over Bulawayo to drink here, and some don’t think twice about committing serious crimes because they have no family ties in Luveve. Bottles of ‘bronco’ are scattered everywhere in the morning — a clear sign that people are abusing illegal substances,” said Moyo.

BronCleer, commonly known as bronco, is a cough syrup widely abused — particularly by youths — to get intoxicated.