By Buhle Mhlaulo
One person died while another was left injured after violence broke out during a soccer match in Midlands’s Silobela area last week.
Provincial Liason Officer Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed a case of murder and attempted murder where one person died, and another was seriously injured after being attacked by a group of eight men with axes and machetes in Silobela on 4 August 2024 at around 2000 hours.
Police said villagers were gathered at Gobo Business Center where a soccer tournament was held though it led to a scuffle and pitch invasion by supporters.
“At about midday day on the stated date, there was a soccer tournament at Gobo Business Centre where villagers gathered to witness the event.
At about 1500 hours the sporting event was abandoned due to a scuffle and pitch invasion by supporters.
The eight men suspected to be behind the cases reside in Donsa area and were part of the crowd and were overpowered by villagers from Gobo area.”
Mahoko said the suspects later armed themselves with axes and machetes and stormed Matsikidze Village harassing people leading to the assaulting of two victims.
“This did not go down well with the Donsa people who went home and mobilised themselves and armed with axes and Machetes.
At about 2000 hours they stormed Matsikidze Village harassing people indiscriminately.”
“They then met Samson Paradza (59) who was in the company of Samuel Shoko (49) both of Village Matsikidze.
The suspects assaulted Paradza and Shoko all over their bodies using axes and machetes.”
Upon hearing Paradza and Shoko crying for help, villagers teamed up to assist them and managed to apprehend Mbekezela Lunga who was among the assailants, who was handed over to the Police.
However, the two victims were taken to Silobela District Hospital where Paradza died on admission and Shoko is in a serious condition.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police officers have managed to arrest Mkhululi Ndlovu (24), Lungile Nyoni (25), Gazimulo Ndlondlo (18) and Mthabisi Moyo (24) all of Village Sitemba under Chief Malisa in Silobela.
The police kindly appeal for any information that may assist in the arrest of the remaining three suspects Thobile Nyoni (23), Butholezwe Ncube (25) of village Sitemba under Chef Malisa, Silobela and Thikiza Nyoni (26) of village Donsa 1 under Chief Malisa, Silobela.
