Villager’s dying words lead to murder arrests

THREE men accused of fatally assaulting a fellow villager at a business centre have appeared in court facing murder charges.

Busani Zulu (32) of Hangapu Line, Junith Nkomo (29) of Dlakapiya Line and Mqobi Nkomo (32) of Dlakapiya Line in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North Province, appeared before the Tsholotsho Resident Magistrates’ Court charged with murder.

They are not legally represented and were not asked to plead. The State, represented by Ms Nobuhle Mguni, opposed their application for bail.

“The trio committed a serious offence, as such they are a flight risk. The accused stay in the area where they allegedly murdered their villager, as such they can interfere with State witnesses, and police need time to conduct investigations,” she said.

The accused were remanded in custody to 22 September for routine remand.
Prosecutor Ms Mguni told the court that the incident occurred on 5 September.

“The incident occurred on 5 September 2026, shortly after 11pm, while the accused persons and the now deceased were drinking home-brewed opaque beer at Joel Nkomo’s homestead, Dlakapiya

Line, Tsholotsho, where there was a memorial service,” said Ms Mguni.

The court heard that while they were drinking, Zulu began questioning the deceased, Stanford

Madida, over an alleged assault that had occurred last year.

“Following that, the pair got involved in a heated argument until the owner of the homestead, Maxwell Nkomo, intervened and ordered both of them to vacate his home,” the court heard.

Zulu allegedly continued accusing Madida of assaulting him last year.

“Zulu and the deceased then left the place. They quarreled and insulted each other along a path until they reached Dakapiya Business Centre, where Zulu pulled a wooden log and severely hit the deceased on the head.

“After that, he (Zulu) struck the deceased once on the head and thrice on the left thigh with the wooden log.

“The deceased shouted for help and was heard by a fellow villager who came and restrained Zulu from further assaulting him,” said Ms Mguni.

The court heard that Zulu and the villager left the deceased lying on the ground before returning to their respective homes.

The following day, at about 7am, the deceased’s younger brother, Marshal Madida, went to the scene and found him lying on the ground. He then asked him what had happened.

“The deceased then told him that he was assaulted by Zulu and his co-accused. The deceased was then ferried to Mpanedziba Clinic using a donkey cart and died along the way,” said the prosecutor.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Zulu and his co-accused.