Deadly Village Clashes Erupt in Silobela, Leave One Dead
By Delicious Mathuthu
A brutal revenge attack in Matsikidze Village, Silobela, left one person dead and another seriously injured last week Sunday (4/08/2024), as a village war erupted in the area.
The fatal incident occurred at around 8 pm, in Matsikidze Village under Chief Gobo where a group of eight men, armed with axes and machetes, stormed the area from another village, Donsa, indiscriminately harassing residents.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) say the violence is believed to have emanated from a soccer tournament scuffle held at Gobo Business Centre earlier the same day.
The tournament was abandoned at around 3 pm after a pitch invasion by supporters, leading to a confrontation between villagers from Gobo and Donsa areas.
“At about midday day on the stated date, there was a soccer tournament at Gobo Business Centre where villagers gathered to witness the event,” Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said.
“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. They were overpowered by villagers from Gobo area.
“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,” he said.
They brutally attacked two men with axes and machetes, one later died while the other is hospitalised.
“They then met Samson Paradza, a man aged 59 years who was in the company of Samuel Shoko aged 49 years both of Village Matsikidze.
“The suspects assaulted Paradza and Shoko all over their bodies using axes and machetes.
“Other Villagers heard Paradza and Shoko crying for help, teamed up to assist them and managed to apprehend one Mbekezela Lunga who was among the assailants. He was handed over to the Police,” Inspector Mahoko said.
Paradza succumbed to his injuries at Silobela District Hospital, while Shoko remains in serious condition, he said.
Four more suspects in connection with the attack have been arrested, including Mkhululi Ndlovu (24), Lungile Nyoni (25), Nkazimulo Dlodlo (18) and Mthabisi Moyo (24), all of Sithemba Village, under Chief Malisa, Silobela.
Three of the suspects remain at large, who are Thobile Nyoni (23), Butholezwe Ncube (25) of Sithemba Village, and Thikiza Nyoni (26) of Donsa Village.
The ZRP is appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, urging anyone with information to approach any nearest police station.
