adminWhinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A MAN who could not stomach being turned down by a 17-year-old teenager, fatally stabbed her and axed three others who tried to restrain him.
Siphila Khumalo (22) of Mbembeswana 2 Village in Matabeleland North allegedly went berserk when Sicelo Moyo turned down his love proposal on Christmas Day.
Witnesses said he stabbed Moyo once under her left breast and she died on the spot.
The injured people are being treated at Inyathi District Hospital.
Villagers said Khumalo seemed to be living up to his totem Ndlangamandla (one who uses force to get what he wants).
The incident occurred at around 7PM at Mbembeswana Business Centre.
A neighbourhood watch committee member, Mrs Miriam Muhodi, said Khumalo was armed with an axe and a knife when he approached two 17- year-old girls who were with their cousin.
“He demanded that one of the girls should become his lover. They jokingly told him they were afraid of a person who moved around armed,” said Mrs Muhodi.
“When they insisted that none of them could fall in love with him, Khumalo became violent and shredded an umbrella they were carrying with his knife. On seeing this, the three girls took to their heels and Khumalo gave chase,” she said.
Mrs Muhodi said Khumalo caught up with Moyo and stabbed her once under her left breast.
“We were relaxing behind one of the shops when someone informed us that Siphila, who was armed with an axe and a knife, was chasing after some girls.
“When we rushed to the scene, we found the girl already dead. Khumalo had also axed three villagers who had tried to restrain him before fleeing,” she said.
The trio sustained injuries and were rushed to Inyathi district hospital where they are admitted.
Mrs Muhodi said they managed to apprehend Khumalo the following day at a bus stop along Victoria Falls road before he could catch a lift.
Villagers, said Mrs Muhodi, handed Khumalo over to the police.
Mr Andrew Matshazi, the councillor for ward 18, said the community was appealing for a police base as there is an increase in crime in the area.
“We are too far away from a police station hence the upsurge in crime,” he said.
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