Bulawayo – A pall of grief hung over Luveve Cemetery today as family, friends, and fellow congregants gathered to lay to rest Inobubele Mhlanga (23), a Bulawayo Polytechnic student and devout member of the Brethren in Christ Church, who was tragically murdered earlier this week.
The young fashion and design student was described by those who knew her as a bright and promising individual, a testament to her potential cut short by a senseless act of violence.
The funeral service, held at the Brethren in Christ Church Cowdray Park branch, provided a somber setting for mourners to pay their respects and remember Mhlanga’s life. Her untimely death has left a void in the community, highlighting the pervasive issue of violent crime in the city.
Mhlanga’s life was tragically cut short on Monday evening, around 8 pm, just a short distance from her home in Cowdray Park. According to a source close to the ongoing investigation, she was ambushed by two assailants, Thamsanqa Ndebele and Euton Sebatha, who allegedly robbed her and then brutally stabbed her.
The source revealed a chilling detail: “The deceased mentioned one of the suspects by name, after that, he stabbed her several times leading to her death as he feared that she would be identified and arrested,” the source stated.
This suggests the attackers knew their victim, adding another layer of tragedy to the already horrific event. The fact that Mhlanga was able to identify one of her attackers before her death played a crucial role in the swift apprehension of the suspects.
Following the attack, police from Cowdray Park Police Station launched a prompt investigation. This led to the arrest of both Ndebele and Sebatha, who are currently facing murder charges and are scheduled to appear in the Western Commonage Magistrates Court.
Their arrest offers a small measure of solace to the grieving community, but it cannot undo the devastating loss of a young life. The young woman was laid to rest today in Bulawayo. May her dear soul rest in eternal peace.
