Teen (17) Arrested For Near Double Murder

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

A 17-year-old boy from Makakavhule area, under Chief Tshitaudze in Beitbridge has been arrested for fatally stabbing a fellow villager aged 23 years, whom he accused of spilling his beer during a birthday party early on Sunday morning.

The teenager who cannot be named for professional reasons, is also accused of attempting to kill a 20-year-old Good Samaritan who tried to restrain him from further assaulting the now deceased.

It is reported that the police have also fined one Johnson Phiri ZWL$2000 for hosting the unsanctioned birthday party in defiance of set Covid-19 regulations.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed the incident today but could not give further details.

“The accused is now in our custody and assisting us with further investigations pending his appearance in court charged for murder and attempted murder,” he said.

The senior police officer identified the now deceased and the injured as Nqobizitha Siziba and Victor Ndou respectively.

Sources close to the investigations said on Saturday afternoon, Phiri hosted a birthday party at his homestead that was attended by Siziba, Ndou, and several other villagers.

They said the party ran into the next morning and at around 4 am the suspect and Siziba had an argument with the teenager claiming his victim had spilled his beer.

“The boy then withdrew an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed Siziba just above the umbilical cord and he fell down and collapsed.

Ndou who was close by tried to refrain the suspect from further assaulting Siziba, resulting in the suspect stabbing him on his back and he also collapsed,” said the source.

Soon after committing the offense, the teenager disappeared into darkness and the two men were rushed to Makakavhule clinic where they were referred to Beitbridge district hospital.

It is reported that Siziba was pronounced dead upon admission while Ndou was admitted to the hospital where is said to be in a stable condition.

The teen was later on Sunday afternoon apprehended by fellow villagers including Phiri.

They then handed him over to the police together with the knife he used in committing the alleged crime.