Teenager killed over fish

The boy allegedly tried to commit suicide several times after the tragedy, before he was arrested. The incident occurred at Makhasa Dam in Tjewondo Village, under Chief Fuyana, on Wednesday.

Villagers alleged that the boy was fishing with friends who included the deceased, Clepaton Phiri (17), Thakazelani Moyo (28) and Artwell Nyathi (17) at about 5pm.

“The boy caught some fish and started cleaning them with a home-made knife. He dumped the fish scales and innards at a spot where Clepaton was in the habit of taking a bath. This angered Clepaton who struck the boy with a stick on the forehead,” said a villager who declined to be named.

The villager said the boy grabbed his knife and stabbed Phiri once on the chest, killing him instantly.

The councillor for Makhasa Ward 10, Clr Alexander Phiri (58) told Chronicle that when the boy realised he had killed his friend, he quickly removed the laces from Phiri’s shoes and said he wanted to use them to hang himself. “His other friends wrestled with him, trying to take away the laces. He picked a stone and hit one of them before breaking free and fleeing from the scene,” said Clr Phiri.

He said the boy returned about three hours later, when police had been called to the scene. “He was dripping blood from a wound around his neck. There were also some scratch marks on the neck. He said he had tried to commit suicide, but the rope broke.”

Phiri’s uncle, Mr Zephaniah Phiri (52) said the incident was indeed a tragedy.

“We are yet to meet the boy’s family. I think the biggest problem is that he lived with his grandmother, who is seriously ill. She cannot come here to meet us. If the boy goes to prison, she will have no one to take care of her as she cannot even fetch water to drink for herself,” said Mr Phiri.

He said the deceased boy also looked after his grandmother and his death left a void that the family would struggle to fill.

Contacted for comment yesterday, the police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya confirmed the incident and said people should avoid engaging in violence.