Woman murdered in city

The woman, Ms Lydia Ncube, who was employed as a domestic worker at Number 17 Sandpiper Road, was on Tuesday afternoon found lying lifeless next to a dead cow, which is part of a herd of cattle kept on the property.

The only witness to the incident Mr Sikhumbuzo Moyo, a mentally challenged man, was also stabbed on his thigh before his attacker struck him with a brick on the head.

When a Chronicle newscrew visited the family at the home on Thursday, there were blood stains near the door where it is suspected that is where Ms Ncube was when she was stabbed.

One of the family members identified as Ms Melina Sibanda said it was a traumatic experience and the whole family was failing to come to terms with the murder.

“Her body was only discovered on Tuesday in the afternoon near the precast wall in a pool of blood. A dead cow was also found near her body and we do not know how the body got there because as you can see it is quite some distance between the house and the precast wall,” said Ms Sibanda.

She said Ms Ncube was taking care of their nephew who was mentally challenged.

“One of my sisters was called on Tuesday and told that our nephew Sikhumbuzo was very ill and needed immediate medical attention. She came to Burnside and called the ambulance to take Sikhumbuzo to hospital and all this time we were all wondering where MaNcube was.

“The only witness, our nephew, was also attacked and his mental and physical condition is deteriorating because he can no longer walk. The only thing he can remember is that he was struck on the head and fell down,” said Ms Sibanda.

Another relative said: “MaNcube was found lying next to a dead cow that was bleeding from the nose. It was the dead cow that attracted the herdman’s attention and he later discovered MaNcube’s body.  We do not know what killed the cow.”

Contacted for comment Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said investigations were still under way.

“We are investigating a suspected murder case that occurred in Burnside where a woman aged 29 was found dead at her residence. She had stab wounds,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.