Student killed for identifying the robber

Source: Student killed for identifying the robber – The Southern Eye

A 23-year-old Bulawayo Polytechnic student did not make it home on Monday night after she was stabbed by a robber she had identified during the robbery.

Inoubele Mhlanga was brutally stabbed by Thamsanqa Ndebele (26) and Euton Sebatha (36) after he disembarked from a commuter bus near the TM bus stop in Cowdray Park.

Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.

He said Mhlanga identified the robber as they live in the same neighbourhood.

“On November 4, at about 8.30pm, the now deceased was found by passers-by lying in a pool of blood near the TM bus stop in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, with a penetrating wound above his right breast and several cuts on both hands,” said Ncube.

“She was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital by a well-wisher and later died while under the care of a doctor.”

The following day, at around 11.30am, the police rounded up all the known robbery suspects and Playmore Mpofu (27) of Cowdray Park, who was detained at the station as a suspect in a robbery case, admitted that he often committed robbery cases around. Cowdray Park area with Ndebele and Sebatha.

A manhunt was made with the help of members of the community which led to the arrest of Ndebele and Sebatha in the Cowdray Park area.

Ncube said Ndebele was questioned and he admitted to attacking the now deceased and taking her handbag containing $30 with the help of his friend Sebatha.

“He also said that Sebatha stabbed the now deceased because he identified him as they live in the same area and knew each other,” he said.

Mhlanga was laid to rest at Luveve Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday.

Police urged the public to prioritize neighborhood watch committee patrols.

“Members of the public are urged to revive neighborhood watch committees not only for the purpose of patrols but also as a way of promoting unity, peace and love among themselves,” Ncube said.

“An innocent life was lost due to the sheer greed of people who knew the deceased and were neighbours. Arresting the two could help relatives find closure.”