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Munyaradzi Musiiwa/Faith Mabuto Midlands Reporters—
A 19-YEAR-OLD Gweru man allegedly killed his mother by stabbing her five times with a kitchen knife and stole her car, which he used for joyrides with prostitutes on a three-day drinking spree. Kudakwashe Ashley Sibanda, of Southdowns suburb, who was allegedly expelled from Thornhill High School last year, allegedly killed his mother, Barbra Sibanda, on Thursday last week.
A suspicious neighbour called the police who discovered the body in a congealed pool of blood on Saturday. As the news of the callous killing spread, family sources said, Kudakwashe fled to Harare where he killed a pedestrian in a hit and run accident.
Police Officer Commanding Gweru District, Chief Supt Elias Chivandire said investigators suspect Kudakwashe killed his mother in a dispute over money. Supt Chivandire said the teen was arrested in Harare on Saturday.
“I can confirm that police in Gweru are investigating a murder case where on November 3 this year a 19-year-old male adult allegedly killed his mother by stabbing her five times on the left side of the chest, inflicting deep lacerations,” said Chief Supt Chivandire.
He said Kudakwashe locked the house and took his mother’s Nissan Bluebird vehicle and fled to Harare.
“While on his way he knocked down a pedestrian in Norton and the victim died on the spot,” he said. “The matter came to light on Saturday when a neighbour and family friend, Chounlai Chindanga, went and checked on Barbra but found the door locked.” Chindanga, said Chief Supt Chivandire, became suspicious and tried calling her but she was not answering.
“He alerted the police who broke into the house and found Sibanda’s body in the lounge lying in a pool of blood,” said Chief Supt Chivandire. He said the neighbour told the police he last heard from Barbra when she was quarrelling with Kudakwashe. Police launched an investigation and were tipped that the suspect had been spotted in Mbare.
He was later arrested by police at Stoddard Police station in Harare. “The suspect is in police custody assisting with investigations. “He’ll appear in court soon,” said Chief Supt Chivandire. He said the body will be taken to Bulawayo for a postmortem today.
Neighbours told of a problem child who was violent and often stole money. “When he committed the crime he took his mother’s vehicle, went and picked up his girlfriend with whom he attended a series of wild parties,” said one of the neighbours.
During the drinking spree, added the neighbour, Kudakwashe’s girlfriend inadvertently divulged to friends that he had killed his mother. The neighbours alleged that as news of the death filtered through, Kudakwashe went back home and packed his clothes and left for Harare. Another neighbour said Kudakwashe’s mother told them recently that he had tried to kill her with a kitchen knife while she was sleeping.
“He’s out on bail after stealing $900 from a tenant, after which he stole the tenant’s vehicle and went on a beer drinking binge,” said the neighbour. “He was expelled from Thornhill High School last year after he stole money from fellow pupils. “He also stole teachers’ vehicles and went for joyrides with friends.”
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