CCTV captures 2 men being brutally murdered in Bulawayo, police hunt for 7 suspects

Bulawayo – Luveve residents are reeling following the brutal murders of two men at Chigumira Business Centre in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Police have confirmed that the incident, which took place outside Kidza Nightclub, was captured on CCTV and have launched a manhunt for approximately seven suspects believed to be artisanal gold miners. The deceased have been identified as Bishop Ncube, 46, of Lobengula West, and Malach Ndlovu, 40, of Luveve. According to Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, the two men were drinking at the nightclub when a violent altercation broke out around 2 AM. “On Tuesday at around 2AM, a 39-year-old male from Old Luveve was at Chigumira Shopping Centre with his friends when he was approached by an unknown woman who informed him that there was a fight between the now deceased and seven unidentified male adults, who appeared to be illegal miners. The informant found Ncube lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from a stab wound on the forehead and a deep cut on the left thigh,” said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu. The informant transported Ncube to Mpilo Central Hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police were then called to the scene to investigate. “During subsequent investigations at the scene, police officers observed blood at the entrance of a local bar. Following the trail of blood, they discovered the second body. The deceased, Malach Ndlovu, aged 40, of Luveve, was found lying with deep stab wounds. His body was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for a post-mortem,” Assistant Inspector Ndlovu added. Officers followed a blood trail from the bar which led them to Ndlovu’s body, found nearby with deep stab wounds. Tapiwanashe Mapfumo, the proprietor of Kidza Nightclub, confirmed that surveillance footage captured the violence. “The footage shows a group of people arguing before one of the men collapsed. We will leave it to the police to carry out further investigations,” he said. When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene yesterday morning, Luveve residents were still reeling from the incident. Standing in small groups, residents recounted the violent scenes that had unfolded outside their homes in the early hours. “There is a trail of blood outside a money exchange booth, and two bricks that may have been used in the attack also have blood on them,” said local resident Mr Enock Mpofu. He said he heard commotion outside the nightclub around 1 AM but dismissed it as a typical drunken brawl. “Police collected the body of the other man a few metres from the nightclub, where it’s believed he collapsed after being attacked. A lot of illegal gold miners drink at the nightclub, so, violent confrontations are common,” he added. Chigumira Business Centre, famed for its braai spots and pulsating nightlife, has become a favourite haunt for revellers chasing township vibes. However, locals say it now has a darker edge as crime rises. Residents’ association leader Mrs Petronella Mguni said the community was disturbed by the violent acts that claimed two lives. She said some entertainment venues in the area operate late into the night, often resulting in fights. “The nightclubs must adhere to the legal closing times to prevent unruly behaviour by patrons who drink late and end up fighting. We don’t feel safe living in an area where people can be murdered and the attackers vanish without a trace,” said Mrs Mguni. Another resident, Ms Nomvelo Moyo, said the use of illegal substances and drugs was fuelling violence in the area. “People come from all over Bulawayo to drink here, and some don’t think twice about committing serious crimes because they have no family ties in Luveve. Bottles of bronco are scattered everywhere in the morning, a sign that people are abusing illegal substances,” said Ms Moyo. BronCleer, commonly known as bronco, is a cough syrup widely abused —especially by youths — to get intoxicated. Police have urged anyone with information to contact the nearest station as the manhunt continues. Assistant Inspector Ndlovu also appealed to the public to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violence, which leads to unnecessary loss of life. “We also urge the public to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violence, which leads to unnecessary loss of life,” she said.