Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — After more than four years in hiding, two suspects wanted in connection with a 2021 murder during a robbery in the Bulawayo Central Business District (CBD) have been arrested, the police has confirmed.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said on Tuesday the suspects, Bhekilanga Ndlovu (25) of Iminyela and Terrence Madera (25) of Mzilikazi, who are accused of murdering Mncedisi Mtshayisa (23) of Cowdray Park during a robbery in August 2021, had managed to evade arrest for several years after the crime.
“The accused persons had been in hiding since the commission of the offence in 2021. Despite the lengthy period that they remained at large, police never closed the case and sustained investigations and fresh intelligence ultimately led to their capture,” said she said.
Insp Msebele said the two suspects allegedly stabbed Mtshayisa to death during a robbery before dumping his body in a sanitary lane along 3rd Avenue, Bulawayo, in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
The case went cold for years as the suspects allegedly remained underground, avoiding detection while police pursued leads across the city.
Insp Msebele said the breakthrough came on January 31 this year, when police received credible information indicating that the suspects had returned to their respective residences.
“Upon receiving the information, police reacted swiftly and managed to arrest both suspects without incident,” she said.
She commended members of the public for assisting law enforcement agents, stressing that community cooperation remains a cornerstone in solving serious crimes.
“We appreciate members of the public for supplying information that led to the arrest of the accused persons,” she said, warning criminals who believe time and distance can shield them from justice that the long arm of the law would catch up with them.
New Ziana