A thirty-eight year old man in Sipepa, Tsholotsho committed a double murder after he struck his wife (36) on the head following a domestic quarrel and also killing a neighbour (73) who tried to restrain him after the woman sought refuge in his homestead.
The murders took place in the morning of January 1, 2024 in Mgogodleli Line in Sipepa Tsholotsho, said police who confirmed the incident.
According to family members of the deceased woman, Getrude Ncube, her husband Shepherd Nkomo appeared to be an abusive man.
“We received terrible news that Shepherd killed Getrude. We heard that he wanted to bash her at first using a log in their home and he missed so Getrude ran to the neighbour’s home for protection. However, he followed her there and struck Getrude on the head. The man also struck the neighbour on the head when he tried to intervene,” said one of the family members who told CITE and requested anonymity.
The family source indicated that the couple had three children and had been married for six years or so.
“They had not been married for long, maybe six years or so but it seems there was a history of abuse in their relationship because at one time Getrude left him and he followed her and they reconciled. She went back to him not knowing that she would die at his hands,” claimed the relative.
According to the deceased’s family, Nkomo was a cross-border carrier before returning to Zimbabwe and started working in Tsholotsho using his vehicle.
Matabeleland North Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed that Nkomo was wanted on murder charges.
“Police in Tsholotsho are looking for Shepherd Nkomo, a male 38 from Mgogodleli Line in connection with a murder. The man killed his wife and a neighbour on January 1, 2024,” said Inspector Banda.
“The accused person suspected that his spouse was having a marital affair and as a result, a misunderstanding ensued between the two. He grew violent and assaulted his wife using an unknown object on the head.”
Inspector Banda said the wife fled to a neighbour’s homestead but both she and the neighbour died after Nkomo hit them.
“The wife, Getrude Ncube, 36, fled to a neighbour’s homestead, that is Mhlanga Bahono Mkhiza, 73, to seek refuge but the accused pursued and continued to assault her. When the neighbour tried to refrain the accused person, he was struck on the face by a log and he died on the spot,” said the police spokesperson.
“When neighbours rushed to the scene, the accused fled and is still at large. Ncube died a few minutes later.”
The police spokesperson implored citizens to value the sanctity of life.
“Parents and guardians should guide children while they are still young,” Inspector Banda added.
Meanwhile, Ncube’s family said they had started sharing this news on social media to have Nkomo apprehended.
“We understand Shepherd may be running away to South Africa where he once worked as a malayitsha,” said the relative.
