A VILLAGER allegedly beat a soldier to death in a dispute
over a missing cell phone during a drinking spree at a business centre in
Bulilima District.
Busani Sibanda (28), who was based at 23 Combat Station in
Magunje, Hurungwe in Mashonaland West Province, had an altercation with Sithelo
Ndlovu (30) after his cell phone went missing and suspected that Ndlovu had
stolen it.
Chief Mpini confirmed the incident which occurred on Friday
last week at around 6PM at Ndiweni Business Centre in Ndiweni Ward in Bulilima
which falls under his jurisdiction.
“I received a report of a soldier who was killed at Ndiweni
Business Centre. The deceased and the suspect are from my area although the
soldier was based in another area. I’m not sure what caused the altercation as
I’m yet to receive full details but the two men were fighting and the villager
assaulted the soldier with a stick resulting in his death,’’ he said.
Chief Mpini said the incident had left villagers shocked
and he raised concern over murder cases that were being recorded in the area.
The chief said people must drink responsibly and not turn
drinking spots into war zones.
Sources close to the investigations said Sibanda and Ndlovu
were drinking at a bottle store at Ndiweni Business Centre when Sibanda
realised that one of his two cell phones was missing and he confronted Ndlovu.
A source who preferred anonymity said Ndlovu denied taking
the cell phone and emptied his pockets for Sibanda to see but Sibanda accused
him of either selling or hiding the cell phone.
“Sibanda took Ndlovu’s bicycle which was at the business
centre and threatened to keep it if he didn’t return his cell phone. The two
men started fighting and Ndlovu struck Sibanda with a big stick several times
all over the body and also kicked him several times until he bled from the nose
and mouth.
‘’Sibanda was rushed to Plumtree District Hospital where he
died upon admission while Ndlovu was arrested,’’ said the source.
The source said Sibanda will be buried at his rural home in
Bulilima tomorrow. Chronicle
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