Online Reporter
THE Bible commands, “Honour your father and your mother so that your days may be long on earth”, but for one Bulawayo man, those words apparently meant nothing.
In a shocking act of domestic violence, a 27-year-old man from Entumbane allegedly turned against his father, assaulting the elderly man with a metal rake during a dispute over a bag of fresh maize cobs.
Billy Nzombe appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube facing charges of physical abuse.
He pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu informed the court that the accused and the victim, 71-year-old Cleophas Nzombe, are father and son.
The court heard that on March 20, 2026, at approximately 6.30am, a misunderstanding erupted between the two over a bag of produce.
What began as a simple disagreement quickly escalated.
In a fit of rage, Billy allegedly seized a metal rake and struck his father twice: once on the head and once on his left hand.
The victim was subsequently referred to hospital to assess the extent of his injuries.
Following a report to the police, Billy was apprehended.
The case continues, as the court seeks to determine circumstances behind the attack. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Groom and father arrested night before wedding
A wedding scheduled for Sunday in Newcastle, within the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands area, South Africa, was abruptly called off after both the groom and his father were arrested for drunk driving on Saturday night.
The two were among 45 motorists apprehended during overnight roadblocks as part of operation “Nenzani LaEzweni”, a targeted provincial initiative aimed at removing intoxicated drivers from the roads.
Since the launch of the Easter safety campaign a fortnight ago, KZN traffic authorities have taken a zero-tolerance approach, arresting more than 180 motorists for driving under the influence.
The scale of the crackdown was further evidenced on Good Friday, when a single roadblock in Port Shepstone on the South Coast resulted in the arrest of 51 drivers.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate continued to maintain a strong presence across major routes to curb the high rate of holiday accidents.
For one family in Newcastle, however, the enforcement has already resulted in a life-changing consequence beyond a simple legal fine. — Wires
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DNA dispute leaves ‘father’, ‘son’ injured
Pandemonium broke out at Ntabazinduna Flats in Bulawayo after a desperate man’s quest for his biological roots ended in a violent tumble down a staircase.
What began as a demand for a DNA test quickly spiralled into a brawl, leaving 68-year-old Ephraim Ncube and Trust Chihobo (37) with severe injuries, including a fractured neck and broken arm.
Both men were arrested for disorderly behaviour and appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Vimbayi Chirayi.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The matter was postponed to a later date for trial.
In a warned and cautioned statement, Chihobo told the police that his intentions were peaceful.
“I went to visit Ncube, but when he arrived, he immediately told me to go
away.
“He pushed me and in the ensuing melee we both fell down the staircase. I suffered facial bruises and a fractured arm. I have been told he is my father and we look alike — I just want a DNA test to find the truth,” said Chihobo.
Ncube, however, vehemently denied paternity and blamed Chihobo for the violence.
“I know him from the neighbourhood, but I am not his father,” he stated.
“He pushed me, causing me to fall down the stairs and roll to the ground. I was hospitalised with a fractured neck. I do not know why he is targeting me; he wants to ruin my reputation in the suburb.”
The court is set to determine the facts of the case when the trial resumes. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Inyathi axe killer handed 20-year jail sentence
A 35-year-old Inyathi man who fatally struck his workmate with an axe has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the High Court.
Gideon Chitanga, of Allendale A Farm in Matabeleland North province, was convicted of murdering Future Makhole on December 17, 2023.
The sentence was handed down by High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa, sitting on circuit at the Hwange Magistrates’ Court.
The State was represented by Martha Cheda.
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Makhole had been drinking with his brother Mandla at a homestead in the Allendale A Farm compound.
At approximately 11.30am, Makhole left the homestead without stating where he was going.
Around 2pm, fellow farm worker Bobby Sithole made a grim discovery while returning from a nearby garden. He noticed a white object lying in the tall grass near a footpath.
Upon closer inspection, Sithole realised it was Makhole’s lifeless body.
Makhole had sustained horrific head injuries, including deep lacerations
above his right eye and on both sides of his head.
At the scene, witnesses are said to have observed a trail of blood leading away from the body.
They followed the trail, and it led them to Chitanga’s homestead, where they noticed bloodstains on the door of the accused’s house.
When confronted, Chitanga, who was inside at the time, denied any knowledge of the crime.
Police investigations later confirmed the witnesses’ findings.
Officers followed the same trail and discovered further incriminating evidence inside the house, including blood splatters on the walls and floor.
Bloodstains were also found on the accused’s clothing and his black safety shoes.
A blood-stained axe, identified as the murder weapon, was recovered from the place, leading to Chitanga’s arrest.
A post-mortem conducted at United
Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed that Makhole had died from severe head trauma resulting from multiple blows with a sharp object.
In passing the 20-year sentence, Justice Kabasa highlighted the sheer brutality of the attack.
She noted that the use of a lethal weapon demonstrated a clear intention to kill or, at the very least, a reckless and flagrant disregard for human life. — Bulawayo Bureau
