RETIRED SOLDIER (73) BRUTALLY HACKED, KILLED

LUGONGOLWENI – A 73-year-old retired soldier was brutally hacked to death with bush knives by unknown men at his home, at Lugongolweni under KaLanga Umphakatsi on Monday night.

Peter Hlatshwako, was found dead at his home at Lugongolweni around midnight. He had sustained multiple injuries to his body. The discovery was confirmed by Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati. Lugongolweni Chief Runner (Umgijimi) Shodi Mngometulu, said he received a call from a member of Mhlumeni community police informing him that an elderly man had been hacked to death by unknown men. Mngometulu said what baffled the community was that nothing was stolen from the house.

The umgijimi indicated that as community members, they are banking their hopes on the investigation police officers to unearth the truth about the demise of the pensioner.
The retired soldier, according to the chief’s runner, was hacked with bush knives and succumbed to the injuries. Police took his lifeless body to the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital mortuary yesterday morning. He added that they are still shocked as the motive of killing Hlatshwako remains unknown. He was told that the unknown men had information that the elderly man was alone before he was attacked. The chief’s runner further shared that this incident was unprecedented but could not rule out the possibility of foul play, suggesting that the killers may have been sent by someone to kill Hlatshwako.

He said the killers were people whose motive was not to rob the deceased, as he usually got paid his pension on the 18th of each month. “We are still confused as senior community members on what could have prompted the killers to commit this heinous crime. We hope the police will make a breakthrough in bringing the culprits to face the wrath of the law. It is unfortunate that Hlatshwako, who was a quiet person and could not hurt a fly, had to die in this manner,” he said. Mngometulu said he was yet to meet the family, so that the matter could be reported at the KaLanga Umphakatsi as per the dictates of culture and traditions applicable in such cases.

Themba Masango, a friend of the deceased, expressed shock and trauma upon receiving the news yesterday morning.Masango mentioned that he was still awaiting more details about Hlatshwako’s demise, as he was not a problematic person and always handled issues calmly. “I am still shocked even now after being informed about the sad news. As the matter is being handled by the police, we hope they will make a breakthrough, so that those responsible for this heinous crime can be apprehended and arrested so that they face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Khumbuzile Hlatshwako, the wife of the deceased, said the incident happened while she was away attending church services. The elderly woman stated that she is still shocked and traumatised by the incident, having only received a call informing her that her husband had been hacked to death by unknown people, while inside their rondavel house. She mentioned that she was informed that her husband had been hacked all over the body with bush knives by unknown assailants, while inside the rondavel.  Yesterday morning, Khumbuzile was taken by police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Siteki Police Station, to record a statement.

When this publication engaged the deceased’s wife on the matter, she mentioned that she was yet to receive more details on what transpired, leading to her husband’s death. At least four CID police officers, together with the elderly woman, boarded a foreign-registered Toyota double cab GD6. “I think they are continuing with their investigation, hence they wanted the elderly woman to assist them,” said a source.

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