MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF BUCOPHO (70)

MBABANE – The idiom, ‘you can run, but you can’t hide’ manifested when police arrested a man suspected to have murdered KaMfishane Constituency Councillor (Bucopho).

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent, Phindile Vilakati confirmed that a man was arrested last night in connection with the death of Thoko Maseko (70).

The name of the suspect is known to this publication, but will not be mentioned because he was yet to appear in court. An impeccable source within the police service revealed that the man, aged 38 years old, was arrested at Malindza after police received a tip-off.

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Maseko’s daughter, identified as Dudu Magongo, confirmed that they were informed by police about the arrest. “They revealed his identity to us. We are still waiting for more information from them,” Magongo said. She further stated that they would find out from the suspect why he murdered their mother. “It would have been better if he only stabbed her, than what he did,” the 48 year old said in between sobs .

Preliminary investigations suggested that Maseko could have been beaten and further strangulated because her body was tied with a rope around the neck. It also had bruises and blue-black spots, indicating internal bleeding, according to one of the people who was at the scene shortly after her body was found. Even though they were still clueless on how their mother actually died, Magongo said they were hoping the suspect would shed some light on this.

Magongo stated that her mother did not deserve to die because she was viewed as an asset in the community. Asked about funeral arrangements, the daughter said Maseko might be laid to rest next weekend. Giving a brief background about the old woman, Magongo said Maseko was a staunch member of the Thembelihle Methodist Church.

A community member, John Harris, who was also part of volunteers who searched for Maseko, also confirmed that the family had informed him that police had arrested a suspect. “The police have done a wonderful job by arresting  the suspect swiftly . He needs to tell us why he killed the old woman. He must answer for this gruesome act,” he said.

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Harris revealed that he was still trying to come to terms with why someone would murder an elderly person. Another person who has heaved a huge sigh of relief at the incarceration of the suspect was Mtsambama Member of Parliament (MP), Simosakhe Shongwe. He commended the police for a job well done.
Concerns were raised by her family on Sunday evening when she did not return home.

Maseko had left her homestead at around 9am on the day and headed for church where she attended the day’s service.  She is said to have bid goodbye to other congregants at around 2pm and set off for home, but never reached her intended destination. The elderly woman, who had been serving her third term as bucopho, was eventually found dead on Wednesday.

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