Tafirei Ndlovu ambushes mother-in-law and father-in-law while sleeping, axes them multiple times to death and burn them to ashes, court sentences him ruthlessly

BULAWAYO – Tafirei Ndlovu, a resident of Plumtree, has been sentenced to two life terms for the brutal murders of his in-laws. The High Court in Bulawayo, presided over by Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, found Ndlovu guilty of the calculated and savage killings of Xolan Mpofu and Sibalungele Ncube, his father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively. The horrific crime occurred on 14 April 2022.

The court heard how Ndlovu, along with an accomplice, Kudzani Mathukuthu, who remains at large, carried out the murders in the early hours of the morning. Around 2AM, the pair descended upon Mpofu and Ncube as they slept. Wielding an axe, they struck the couple repeatedly, leaving them lifeless. In a bid to conceal their heinous act, Ndlovu and Mathukuthu then dragged the bodies into a kitchen hut and set it ablaze.

Nomusa Nyoni, Ndlovu’s wife and the daughter of the deceased, witnessed the chilling massacre. The court was told that Nomusa had recently fled her marital home in Botswana after enduring 13 years of a troubled marriage. Seeking refuge, she returned to her parents’ home in Plumtree.

Under the guise of reconciliation, Ndlovu contacted his mother-in-law, feigning a desire to mend relations. However, his intentions were far from peaceful, and his arrival brought death and terror to the family.

Following the murders, Ndlovu abducted Nomusa and forced her to cross back into Botswana illegally. However, Nomusa bravely alerted border patrol officers, informing them of the brutal killings and her abduction. Her quick thinking led to Ndlovu’s arrest. However, his accomplice, Kudzani Mathukuthu, managed to escape and is still on the run.

During the trial, Ndlovu denied all charges against him. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty on both counts of murder. Justice Dube-Banda, in his ruling, described the crime as “barbaric and gravely aggravating,” emphasising the calculated nature of the murders, which left no room for leniency. He then handed down two life sentences.

Nomusa Nyoni is currently under police protection as authorities continue their manhunt for Kudzani Mathukuthu. The police have urged anyone with information regarding Mathukuthu’s whereabouts to come forward and assist with the investigation. The authorities have assured the public that any information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The double life sentence handed down to Tafirei Ndlovu brings to a close a particularly gruesome chapter for the family and the wider Plumtree community. While justice has been served, the pain and trauma inflicted by Ndlovu’s actions will undoubtedly linger for a long time.

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