A PROMINENT Maphisa businessman was early yesterday morning
shot dead in his home at the growth point in Matabeleland South.
Tapson Ncube, who had business interests in mining,
transport, retail and also sponsored Division One soccer outfit The Venue, died
on the spot following a shootout with unknown gunmen.
His killers took nothing from the house and left Ncube’s
terrified wife cowering in a bathroom as they melted into the night. Ncube contested in the Zanu-PF primary elections for the
Matobo North Constituency ahead of last year’s harmonised polls and lost to
incumbent Cde Edgar Moyo.
The shooting incident occurred yesterday at about 4AM and
his killers allegedly poisoned his dogs before breaking into his house through
a window.
Sources said Ncube anticipated the attack as he allegedly
told his wife to hide in the bathroom before his attackers sprayed their
bedroom with bullets. Ncube’s wife escaped unhurt but is said to have been
severely traumatised.
When The Chronicle visited the family’s residence
yesterday, none of the relatives wanted to open up on what could have led to
the businessman’s death.
They said they were still waiting for detectives from
Gwanda to conduct investigations.
At about 5PM, one of the relatives said: “We were not there
so we really don’t know what happened. What we know is that he was shot dead
when unknown individuals raided his home this morning. His wife is the only one
who could shed light on what transpired but she is not in a position to speak.
“They poisoned his dogs first before cutting a burglar bar
leading into the lounge,” said a relative who identified himself as Mr
Mkhumbulo Ncube.
“No one saw the attackers. His wife was in the bathroom.
That’s how she escaped. We don’t know the reasons behind the fatal shooting. We
don’t know whether it was related to his business interests or personal life.
But they did not steal anything from the house,” he said.
Mr Ncube said Tapson’s gun was registered and he used the
weapon for personal security.
A local businessman and chairperson of Maphisa Small and
Medium Enterprises, Mr Denny Ncube, said they were devastated to learn of
Tapson’s death.
He said Tapson had contributed immensely to the development
of Maphisa Growth Point.
“It’s painful to lose even a sick person and what more a
healthy one in such a brutal manner. I was shocked to learn of his death. I’ve
known him for 10 years and we have been working together in our various sectors
to develop this area. We have a lost a brother in business. We will remain
scared and vulnerable as long as the motive behind his brutal murder is not
known. Was it an attack on his business or there is another motive?” said Mr
Ncube.
He said the Maphisa community would only be relieved when
his killers are arrested.
A source at Maphisa claimed Tapson’s killing, which he
described as an assassination, was not a random attack.
“From what I’m gathering, Tapson might have had legitimate
businesses but it’s not all he was doing. Some of his businesses could have
been just a way of cleaning his dirty money.
“There are claims that he was involved in several cash in
transit heists in South Africa. As it stands there are claims that his
attackers could be some of his close relatives who left him with substantial
amounts of cash when they conducted raids in South Africa but he was no longer
forthcoming in giving them back their loot.
“Apart from that claim, there are also allegations that his
son was involved in a robbery recently in South Africa before disappearing with
the loot after something went wrong resulting in his accomplices not getting
their share. The culprits came to him demanding that he reveals the whereabouts
of his son but he would not budge. They allegedly told him that they would be
coming back. So, there is speculation that it could be the same team that came
for him. Clearly, he had many enemies within his close circles,” said the
source.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said he would comment on the matter today. Chronicle
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