A 30-year-old man was brutally hacked to death in Fort Rixon, Matabeleland South, after a longstanding mine ownership dispute erupted in violence.
Lawrence Ngwenya was struck all over his body with machetes by five suspects identified as Kelvin Mpofu, Clayton Dube, Sibusiso Dube, Mayibongwe Ndlovu and one known only as Tinashe.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the grisly murder occurred on July 29 near Claremont in Fort Rixon. He confirmed the suspects and victim had been embroiled in a longstanding dispute over ownership of Claremont 26 mine.
All five suspects have been arrested in connection with Lawrence’s murder.
In a separate incident, police are investigating the killing of 42-year-old Collins Makebo, who died after being stabbed with a knife all over his body by three suspects at Tipperary Shopping Centre in Shamva on July 30.
Collins had intervened in a fight between the suspects and his friend, which appears to have triggered the fatal attack.
Two of the suspects have been identified as Kudzi and J.B. Police have appealed for information from the public to help with their murder investigations.
The spate of deadly violence highlights the dangers of unresolved disputes or conflicts escalating into fatal attacks. Police are calling for restraint and adherence to the law to resolve differences peacefully.
