Chiefs, 6 others suspected of killing sawyer
Police in Mzimba have arrested two chiefs and six other people on suspicion that they have a hand in the death of a 42-year-old sawyer who was buried in a pit latrine.
Mzimba Police public relations officer Peter Botha confirmed the arrest of the chiefs and six others.
He identified the chiefs as group village head (GVH) Gomani, 67, and GVH McDonald Chavula, 63, of T/A Chindi in Mzimba.
The deceased has been identified as Nelson Ndhlovu, 42, of Chasato Village T/A Kampingo Sibande in the same district.
According to Botha, the suspects are believed to have killed Ndhlovu and buried him in a pit latrine.
“Ndhlovu was working for one Sekwayo Nkhoma who is a carpenter and on Monday he was paid K50 000 of which he wanted to go and give his mother back at home.
“He left home on Monday afternoon. The following day, Nkhoma tried to inquire if he had reached home, but to his surprise he had not been home to give his mother the money.”
Added Botha: “Nkhoma tried to follow up the matter but couldn’t trace him. He then reported the matter to community police members who started looking for Ndhlovu.
“They later heard that a person had been killed in the area and when they went to the two chiefs to ask if they had information about the deceased, the chiefs acknowledged meeting Ndhlovu but they said some villagers brought him to them, saying he was a thief and they instructed that he be set free. When the people who brought him to the chiefs and were quizzed further they disclosed where Ndhlovu had been buried.”
According to Botha, the deceased was buried with only a boxer short and his other clothes were also dumped in the pit latrine.
He said the body was found in a decomposed state, but Nkhoma and others were able to recognize the clothes.
He said the murder led to the arrest of the chiefs and the other suspects, adding investigations are underway to establish what actually happened.
Botha said Ndhlovu could also have been robbed of the money as it has not been found.
