Friend accused of helping dissolve murder victim in acid

A CHILLING case has unfolded in Bulawayo, where a man from Matsheumhlope, Cassy Chivako, appeared in court for allegedly helping his friend cover up a murder.

Chivako is said to have assisted in dissolving the victim’s body in acid.

The accused recently stood before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Ngoni Nduna facing charges of being an accessory to murder. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to March 4.

Prosecutors allege that on May 30, 2020, Chivako’s friend, Paul Tawana Clifford Ngwenya, attacked and killed Tapelo Mazolo, a househelp employed at a Matsheumhlope residence. Ngwenya reportedly struck Mazolo with an iron pole, causing her death.

To conceal the crime, Chivako and Ngwenya allegedly purchased 25 litres of acid from a local store and a 200-litre drum from Ascot Mall.

Chivako is accused of helping Ngwenya submerge Mazolo’s body in the acid-filled drum.

The crime came to light on June 10, 2020, when Buzwani Ngwenya, a gardener at the residence, entered the main house to turn off the lights. Upon detecting a foul smell, he immediately alerted the police.

Detectives from the Hillside Police Station and CID Homicide section then visited the scene.

Inside the deceased’s room, they discovered a blue drum in the en-suite bathroom containing a corrosive liquid. Wrapped in a black plastic bag within the drum was the decomposing body of the victim.

Following investigations, both Chivako and Ngwenya were arrested. However, subsequent medical examinations revealed that Ngwenya suffers from a mental disorder, resulting in his admission to Mlondolozi Special Institution. — B-Metro

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Arrested male thieves forced to kiss each other

Two men were reportedly forced to kiss as a form of punishment for allegedly stealing from a shop in South Africa.

This humiliating act was caught on video, raising serious questions about justice and humanity.

The footage shows the two men sitting on the floor, one of whom has his hands tied behind his back while the other remains untied. A man behind the camera orders them to lock lips.

The untied man, clearly terrified, initially resists but ultimately gives in to the demand.

After a brief kiss, the man filming, seemingly dissatisfied, threatens them with further violence, insisting that their initial attempt is not enough. The men are then coerced into kissing again, this time as if they were newlyweds exchanging vows.

This shocking video quickly went viral on social media, particularly X, igniting outrage among viewers.

Many condemned the person behind the camera for imposing such a demeaning punishment, while others questioned the intent behind it. Some, alarmingly, suggested that this humiliation might deter future thefts. — Wires

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Dog meat sold as goat, game meat

The City of Bulawayo has long considered a tie-up order, where stray dogs would be shot to reduce the spread of rabies and control the growing population of canines. However, the emergence of a vigilante “dog-extermination squad” may inadvertently address this concern.

Reports indicate that a three-member gang is operating in the suburbs, targeting stray dogs, killing them and selling the meat to unsuspecting residents and food vendors under the pretext that it is goat or game meat.

Yes, you read that right.

Reports indicate they are also selling dog meat to street food vendors. Some of the meat is reportedly used in various food items, such as burgers. These chilling reports surfaced after the gang was recently busted in the city.

Their operation came to light when they allegedly sold dog meat to a street vendor, who later made a gruesome discovery. It is reported that the vendor noticed unusual skin on some of the meat, which, upon closer inspection, was positively identified as dog skin.

Horrified, the vendor reportedly attempted to contact the sellers, pretending to want more meat.

However, the phone number they had provided was unreachable. Speaking to this writer, a source close to the vendor (who purchased the dog meat and wished to remain anonymous) explained that this was not the vendor’s first time buying meat from the gang.

“After sharing her story, the vendor learnt she was not the only one affected. Fellow street vendors confirmed they had also been buying meat from the gang for a long time, admitting they smelt a rat given its cheapness and suspected it might be dog meat.

“The gang was very convincing. It looked like goat or game meat. They often delivered at night, targeting several street food vendors and backyard restaurants in the city, offering very competitive prices,” the source said.

The source added: “The gang seems to be going around the city’s suburbs targeting stray dogs. They capture these animals, likely attracted by the readily available food scraps and the less wary nature of strays, kill them and then sell the meat. These dogs, often abandoned or born without homes, are easy targets.”

The source said the gang is also reportedly targeting revellers braaing at tshisanyamas, selling them dog meat under the pretext that it is game meat. The victim, fearing exposure to her illegal business operations, reportedly chose not to report the incident to the police.

Of late, Bulawayo city fathers have been expressing concern over the mushrooming of backyard food outlets and fast-food vendors in the city, where some are operating from street pavements.

Some of the food is being sold from vehicle boots. These vendors often buy meat from illegal traders who sell a variety of meats, including beef, chicken, pork and polony, with prices starting as low as US$1 per kilogramme. — Bulawayo Bureau

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Machete attack in Chipinge over affair

A brutal machete attack in Chipinge has left a 40-year-old man with serious injuries and two individuals are now facing assault charges.

Takura Chinoda (45) and Felix Ngayi Mutisi (42) allegedly attacked Edmore Nyabanga with a machete, striking him once on the forehead and three times on the back. The cause of the attack, according to reports, was an alleged affair between Nyabanga and Chinoda’s girlfriend.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, stating that Nyabanga sustained deep cuts and is in serious condition.

“The incident happened on January 25, around 8pm in the Douglas Farm compound in Chipinge,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.

“Edmore Nyabanga, the victim, was allegedly attacked by Takura Chinoda and Felix Ngayi Mutisi over a love affair.”

Reports indicate that Chinoda and Mutisi went to Nyabanga’s house armed with a machete.

Chinoda allegedly struck Nyabanga on the forehead and back multiple times. Mutisi then grabbed the machete and also struck Nyabanga on the back, causing him to fall.

The victim reportedly managed to gain control of the machete and the two accused fled the scene. He sustained several injuries, including three deep cuts on the back and one on the forehead.

The victim’s wife, Desire Mhandu, returned home to find her husband in severe pain, according to Asst Insp Chinyoka.

Mhandu immediately alerted their neighbour, Lucky Makuyana, and together they reported the incident to ZRP Chipinge Urban.

Police officers attended the scene, and Mutisi was arrested. Nyabanga was rushed to Chipinge District Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

“The machete used in the attack was recovered by the police and investigations are ongoing,” said the police. — Manica Post