Police solve eight-year-old Magwegwe cold murder case

IN a breakthrough that brings closure to a community long-haunted by tragedy, Bulawayo police have arrested Silindi Ncube, a 37-year-old man suspected of murdering his sister Patience Ncube eight years ago in Old Magwegwe suburb.

The cold case had remained unsolved since June 2017, and took a dramatic turn when police received a tip-off about Ncube’s whereabouts last Friday.

Bulawayo provincial police deputy spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, said on September 12 at approximately 8am, police conducted a strategic arrest at the Ncube residence, bringing an end to years of uncertainty for the victim’s family, as well as that of the community.

Asst Insp Ndlovu said the investigation revealed a chilling narrative of familial violence. She said at the time of the murder, Silindi, also known as “Nda”, was 28 years old, and his sister Patience was 26 when she was allegedly killed and buried in a shallow grave behind their family home.

The crime scene, discovered with Patience’s body wrapped in a blanket, sent shockwaves through the Old Magwegwe community, leaving residents in a state of disbelief and fear.

“Police confirm the arrest of Silindi Ncube in connection with this long-standing murder case,” Asst Insp Ndlovu said.

The news that Patience had been killed and buried in their yard broke out, shocking residents in 2017, as they gathered at the house to witness police search for the body.

Patience was employed at a retail outlet in Entumbane suburb.

She was allegedly killed while she was on her last day of vacation, only for her body to be discovered the day she was meant to report for duty.

Patience had been reported as missing on June 15, 2017, only to be discovered two weeks later.

According to an article published in 2017, Silindi lied about Patience’s whereabouts when family and neighbours inquired about her. Miss Angela Tshuma made the missing person’s report.

She had travelled to Esigodini when Silindi allegedly killed Patience, and said he lied to her when she asked him about his sister’s whereabouts.

She told police that Silindi told her that she had gone with a boyfriend, as he last saw her leaving with someone driving a vehicle with South African number plates.

Miss Tshuma said she did not believe his story, as all of Patience’s belongings were in the house.

Silindi, according to reports, stayed in the house as if nothing had happened, only to disappear a week later. Residents suspected Patience had been buried in the yard after another neighbour informed them that Silindi had been seen dumping an object into the pit at the crack of dawn.

When the news of her disappearance spread, neighbours informed police that a neighbour had witnessed Silindi digging a pit and later dumping something wrapped in bedding.

It was reported that police were reluctant to visit the home to investigate, suggesting that they wanted to interview Silindi first.

However, after pressure from residents, the police finally agreed to dig up what appeared to be a shallow grave. It was reported that there were two pits in the yard, with the first one suspected to have been dug as a decoy, as it contained nothing.

A blood-stained pillow was also discovered in the house. When police began investigations, they suggested that something sinister had occurred.

Eventually, when the police dug up the second pit, they discovered the grim crime.

In a similar case, a four-month search for a missing woman in Magotsha Village, Tsholotsho, ended in tragedy on September 2 when police discovered her decomposed body buried in her own yard.

Jennifer Dube, a mother of one, had vanished on May 2, sparking fear and speculation across the community.

Her remains were found bound with wires and wrapped in cloth, confirming suspicions of foul play. The breakthrough came after an anonymous tip-off to local traditional leader Headman Mazibisa, who immediately alerted police.

Officers dug less than a metre into the ground and uncovered the body, bringing closure to a case that had haunted the village.

Her murder is believed to have stemmed from long-standing family tensions.

Her killers were none other than her stepdaughter, Linna Mzimela, and her boyfriend, known only as Nkosi.