THE family of Bhekinkosi Ndlovu (28), who was murdered at Ngoma Village in Nyamandlovu recently by a gang that included an employee of Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Obert Mpofu, was yesterday fuming at the “petty assistance” they got from Mpofu during their bereavement.
STAFF REPORTER
Ndlovu was buried at West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday more than a week after he was killed.
His father, Clephas Ndlovu, told Southern Eye that they only got $100 from Mpofu on Tuesday.
“We only got $100 from him (Mpofu) which is petty assistance. People from his Bulawayo office called us on Tuesday to come to an office in town. We were disappointed with the amount” said Ndlovu.
Asked what they were expecting from Mpofu, Ndlovu said they thought the minister would give them a huge sum although he did not give specific figures the family anticipated.
“As Bhekinkosi’s father, I wanted to bury my son in Dongamuzi village in Lupane, but as a family we failed to secure transport to go to Lupane. We had hoped that he (Mpofu) would assist with transport,” the elder Ndloviu said.
A funeral parlour, Family Funeral Services, took over the burial.
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Other family members also said they had expected assistance from Zanu PF since Ndlovu was “an active youth party member”.
“We felt embarrassed when MDC members offered transport for the mourners to West Park and assisted in buying food,” said a family member.
The alleged murder suspects, identified as Witness Phiri, Believe Phiri and Ishmael Moyo, who are believed to be soldiers, have since been arrested.
Moyo’s father, David, is the local councillor.
According to the chain of events, the deceased together with the suspects were drinking beer and taking turns to play snooker for small bets at Osiyabalandela bar.
However, a dispute ensued during play until the bar was closed at night.
The suspects attempted to stab Ndlovu’s colleague, but he managed to flee.
It was at that point that the suspects pounced on Ndlovu who was on his way from searching for his colleague and stabbed him to death.
The blood-stained murder weapon was found at Mpofu’s farm.
