soldier stabbed to death over nickname

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A MEMBER of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) who was stationed at One Commando in Harare was stabbed to death on Christmas Eve in Lupane for teasing a patron during a beer drink.

Simesihle Mnkandla (24) of Mafinyela village was drinking beer at Emthonjeni Bar at Luke’s Business Centre in Kenmaur, Lupane when he had an altercation with the suspect, Ronald Ncube (22) of Stateland village in the same area.
Mnkandla called Ncube by a nickname Roncho resulting in an altercation between the two men. Ncube produced an okapi knife and allegedly stabbed Mnkandla once on the ribs after which he fled from the scene.

Mnkandla was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital before he was later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo where he died on Christmas Day at around 5pm.

Ncube appeared before Lupane magistrate Ms Karen Jeffrey facing a murder charge and was remanded in custody to January 9 next year. He was advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

The prosecutor, Mr Clive Gumbo said Ncube got irate after Mnkandla called him by his nickname.
“On 24 December at around 11.40pm, Ronald Ncube arrived at Emthonjeni Bar at St Luke’s Business Centre where he met Mnkandla who was drinking beer with his friends. The deceased was in the company of his friends Ndumiso Sibanda and Mabutho Sibanda,” said Mr Gumbo.

The court heard that Mnkandla called out Ncube by his nickname Roncho, which did not go down well with the accused and they had a misunderstanding.

“Mnkandla then told the accused that he was too young to fight with him. The accused suddenly drew an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed the unsuspecting Mnkandla once on the left side of the ribs,” said Mr Gumbo.

Soon after the incident, Ncube fled from the scene leaving Mnkandla in agony. Ndumiso and Mabutho carried Mnkandla to St Luke’s Hospital where he was admitted before he was transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital on Christmas Day in the morning.

Mnkandla later succumbed to the injuries. A report was made to the police leading to Ncube’s arrest at his home on Christmas Day. -@ncubeleon