Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
Police in Bulawayo have arrested a 22-year-old man who allegedly fatally struck a 16-year-old boy following a dispute over US$5.
Mthulisi Mpofu of Pumula North was taken into custody on 16 August 2026 over the death of Ntandoyenkosi Ngwabe.
Confirm
ing the incident, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele told B-Metro:
“The incident occurred on 15 August 2026 at around 10 AM at the hyper area in Pumula North,” Inspector Msebele said.
She said Mpofu went wild after the teen failed to account for US$5 that he had given him to run errands.
“The now deceased, Ntandoyenkosi Ngwabe, a male juvenile aged 16 of Pumula North, was with the accused person when he was given US$5 to run some errands. When he returned, a misunderstanding arose between them over the US$5,” she said.
“The accused person picked up a metal rod and struck the now deceased several times on the head and all over the body before fleeing to an unknown place.”
The teenager later died in hospital.
“As a result of the assault, the now deceased sustained injuries on the head and all over the body. He was taken to Mpilo Hospital for medical attention where he succumbed to his injuries on 16 August 2026,” Inspector Msebele said.
“On the same date at around 1PM, police received information that the accused person was seen at the hyper area, Pumula North. Officers reacted swiftly and arrested him.”
She called for restraint in communities.
“We urge members of the public to avoid the use of violence when resolving disputes as this leads to unnecessary loss of lives. We applaud members of the public for supplying police with information that led to the arrest of the accused person,” Inspector Msebele said.
