A woman was fatally stabbed in Hlatikulu on Thursday night, while the man suspected of killing her died less than 24 hours later, after he was shot by police during an attempted arrest.
Steve Phumlani Mtsetfwa, 37, of Emahlasheni in Hlatikulu, allegedly attacked and killed Njabulo Khumalo, 42, of New Town, Hlatikulu, before fleeing the area. Police later tracked him down at his mother’s parental homestead in Mbowane, where he allegedly resisted arrest and threatened officers.
It is understood that Mtsetfwa and Khumalo were former lovers and had a six-year-old daughter.
Sources said Khumalo had ended the relationship, which they described as troubled, but Mtsetfwa allegedly refused to accept the separation. He had reportedly been arrested previously in connection with Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) cases involving Khumalo, as well as other criminal charges. He was out on bail at the time of his death.
According to sources, the incident ensued on Thursday evening when Mtsetfwa came across Khumalo near the gate of her home in New Town. Khumalo was reportedly accompanied by a long-time friend, while Mtsetfwa was also with friends.
Sources said an altercation broke out between the former lovers.
“When he came across her at the gate, he attacked her. Her friend called the woman’s relatives, who were inside the house, asking them to alert the police. However, no one took it seriously because the relatives were used to the two fighting whenever they met. It did not occur to them that this time it would lead to their daughter or sister losing her life,” said a source.
It is alleged that Mtsetfwa dragged Khumalo away from the gate towards a secluded area and into a bush, where he allegedly assaulted and stabbed her.
One woman who reportedly tried to intervene was also allegedly stabbed on her face. The source said Mtsetfwa warned her not to interfere.
“He pulled her forcefully away from the gate and, after walking about 150 metres, started heavily assaulting her. Earlier, a woman who tried to intervene after seeing him assaulting her was stabbed on her face. She was advised by the man not to interfere in matters that did not concern her,” said the source.
The source said Mtsetfwa was later seen dragging Khumalo towards the bush. On Friday morning, a woman reportedly stumbled upon Khumalo’s body as she walked to work.
The woman, who did not have a phone, reportedly alerted two young men who were passing by. They subsequently contacted the police.
“Police arrived and the body was found with almost 13 stab wounds. With Mtsetfwa identified as the suspect, a search for him was launched,” said the source.
Police reportedly went to Mtsetfwa’s home, but did not find him. Family members allegedly told them that he had arrived earlier, claiming that he was feeling cold, but later disappeared.
After allegedly fleeing the area, Mtsetfwa reportedly went into hiding at his mother’s parental homestead in Mbowane, more than 20 kilometres from his home in Emahlasheni.
Sources said community police had located him in Hlatikulu and were preparing to hand him over to the police when he allegedly tricked them.
“He disappeared while community police were preparing to hand him over to the police. It was later learned that he had escaped to hide at Mbowane, his mother’s parental homestead,” said a source.
Police detectives, including officers from the Lukhozi unit in the Shiselweni region, were subsequently involved in the search. Sources said the officers arrived at the Mbowane homestead and found him inside the house.
“Police detectives, including those under the Lukhozi unit, arrived at the homestead. They found him, when they were preparing to arrest him, he resisted and threatened them with bush knives,” alleged the source.
Mtsetfwa allegedly attempted to flee, but was shot by police and apprehended.
“He was rushed to Hlatikulu Government Hospital but, due to excessive bleeding, he did not survive. It was then that news started circulating that he had died from the gunshot wound,” said the source.
Police Information and Communication Officer (PICO) Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane confirmed the incidents.
Zwane said Mtsetfwa was wanted in connection with the murder of Khumalo. “He was on the run and was tracked down at that homestead. When police wanted to effect the arrest, he armed himself with dangerous weapons. He tried to flee and was then shot. He succumbed to his injuries,” said Zwane last night.
