In a shocking incident a man from Tsholotsho launched an attack on three women in one night after he allegedly accused them of failing to pay him for digging water wells at their homesteads in Bulilima.
Two of the women are recovering at Plumtree District Hospital after Khumalo axed them on their heads.
40 year Nkosiyabo Khumalo, also broke into a shop belonging to Simon Ndlela and destroyed all his goods at Zuzaphi Business centre,claiming that the businessman owed him money.
Maidah Sithole, 62, of Zuzaphi area in Ndolwane under Chief Masendu said Khumalo broke into her homestead around 2AM on Tuesday.
He was demanding payment before completing the job.
Sithole said Khumalo robbed her of R1,200.
“I was asleep at home with my grandchildren when I heard a loud knock on the door. The person identified himself as Khumalo. He told me that he had come to collect his money. I told him that I didn’t have any money. The man threatened to set our bedroom hut on fire if I didn’t open the door,” said Sithole.
Sithole said when she finally opened the door, Khumalo started assaulting her with a chisel on her arms.
This forced Sithole give R1,200 to Khumalo who complained that the money was not enough.
“He went on to hammer my head with the chisel. My two grandchildren had fled from the bedroom hut and were screaming for help but no one heard them. Khumalo struck me once with an axe and then fled.” said Sithole.
She said she fainted and was assisted by her grandchildren to get help from a neighbouring house.
Duduzile Ncube, 36, another victim from the same village, said Khumalo was well-known in the area as he had assisted a number of people by digging wells for them.
Ncube who was visibly in pain said Khumalo arrived at her homestead around 1AM and broke down her bedroom door. She was with her eight-year-old child when Khumalo attacked her.
Ncube said Khumalo demanded money but she pointed out that she did not have any.
“Khumalo struck me with an axe twice on the head. He also hammered me with a chisel and bit my upper lip and breasts as we struggled. Khumalo also tried to stab me with a knife but I ran out of the hut and hid in my backyard. He searched for me but eventually gave up as it was dark,” she said.
Ncube said she jumped over the fence intending to flee to her neighbour but collapsed on the way. She later woke up at the neighbour’s homestead.
She said Khumalo fled with her cellphone after he searched the hut and failed to get any money.
Ncube said Khumalo proceeded to her sister Sibongile’s homestead and attacked as well.
Sibongile was treated at Plumtree District Hospital and discharged.
The councillor of the area, Ian Matiwaza, said Khumalo destroyed Ndlela’s shop on the same night.
He said the man, who was still at large, broke into the shop and destroyed all the goods.
“Khumalo threw some of the goods in a blair toilet and emptied the other goods to the ground leaving shelves empty.” said Matiwaza.-chronicle