A NIGHT out with friends ended in tragedy for a popular
cross border transporter (umalayitsha) Bongani “Bongo” Ndlovu after he was
killed allegedly during a fight outside a popular nightspot in Bulawayo.
The incident happened outside newly opened Zarah Lounge
just before midnight on Saturday.
Ndlovu was reportedly attacked by Andrew Ndebele, Adrian
Mguni, Thamsanqa Mlalazi and Mhlanguli Mguni who have since been arrested for
murder. Accounts of what
transpired differ.
Narrating the incident, Zarah Lounge proprietor Mr
Phathisani Nkomo said a group of four men walked into Zarah Lounge and after a
few minutes started a fight with a patron over an undisclosed issue.
“Our security team quickly moved in and quelled the
situation at the same time ejecting the four men out of Zarah Lounge. When they
were outside, they met Bongo who tried to reprimand the crew. A fight broke out
between him and one of them.
“One of the crew who was behind Bongo punched him on the
side of his head leading to Bongo falling and hitting his head on the ground,”
said Mr Nkomo.
He said club bouncers immediately apprehended Ndlovu’s
assailants while waiting for an ambulance and police to attend the scene.
“There was a shortage of ambulances on the day as they were
reportedly attending to many accidents around the city. After Bongo regained
consciousness, his friends who had come out took him to United Bulawayo
hospitals for treatment. However, I’m told that he was supposed to get a letter
from the police for them to treat him causing another delay. I was shocked to
hear that he died in the early hours of the morning,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said the four assailants were extremely violent and
uncontrollable.
“Even when the police came to arrest them, they had a
torrid time. The four attacked the two policemen who had been sent and it was
difficult for us to restrain them. They didn’t show any remorse and were saying
they didn’t care if Bongo died,” said Mr Nkomo.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango
confirmed the incident.
“The deceased and the accused were drinking when an
argument ensued which degenerated into a fist fight. The four teamed up to
assault Bongani Ndlovu who managed to escape in the company of a security guard
and headed for Bulawayo Central Police Station to make a report but before he
got there, he fell down and became unconscious. An ambulance was summoned but
he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the United Bulawayo Hospitals,” said
Insp Simango.
She urged members of the public not to solve disagreements
through fights but instead dialogue to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
“People should find other ways to solving differences
rather than resorting to violence,” Insp Simango said.
A sombre mood engulfed Ndlovu’s home in Entumbane as
mourners had already gathered when a Chronicle news crew visited the residence
yesterday.
Ndlovu’s brother, Mr Hillary Ndlovu-Tshuma, said they were
devastated upon hearing that their brother was dead.
“As a family we have lost our brother popularly known as
Bongo. He was a businessman and transporter. The finer details of what happened
on the night will be revealed as the police are still investigating,” he said.
Chronicle
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