Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma,Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT will provide funeral assistance to the five victims who were gruesomely murdered by a suspected mentally unstable man in Madlambudzi, Bulilima District.
The suspect went into a three-hour killing rage where he attacked the five villagers, four females, including a six-year-old toddler and a 101-year-old male.
Zimbabwe Republic Police on Thursday confirmed that the 43-year-old man, Phamani Sibanda ran amok and killed five people and injured two others in Madlambuzi, Matabeleland South Province.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was armed with a Mopani log, a blunt object, and an unknown sharp object while moving aggressively around the village. He was targeting anyone he came across.
The five victims, who were identified by their next of kin, are Elliot Khupe (101), a male adult of Bellas Village, Madlambuzi; Butho Tshuma (97), a female adult of Bellas Village, Madlambuzi; Constance Sibanda (66), a female adult of Bellas Village, Madlambuzi; Tiffan Surprise Ndlovu (6), a female juvenile of Bellas Village, Madlambuzi; and Catra Matsika (72), of Central Village, Madlambuzi.
District Development Coordinator (DDC) Mr Onesimo Zogara and Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer Mr Biliati Mulauzi visited the affected families on Thursday.
Mr Zogara told Zimpapers that the government will assist the families of the five victims.
“Government is giving burial assistance through Doves. Families will receive assistance in the form of coffins and food.
“Doves went there yesterday (Thursday) and are expected to bring in tents. We mourn with the families on these sad unfortunate deaths,” said Mr Zogara.
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Bongani Ndlovu