PRISCA MANYIWA-MASUKU
MIRROR REPORTER

SILOBELA – Police are looking for two artisanal miners who struck a colleague with an axe on the head and ran away.
Freeman Sibanda (35) died on the way to hospital.
The incident happened as Sibanda was on his way home from Mbombela Business Center under Chief Malisa in Silobela on Sunday night.
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the case to The Mirror and said Police is looking for Priority Bhebhe and Elvis Mpofu. Bhebhe is the one who allegedly landed the fatal blow.
“The public is informed about a murder case where a 35-year-old man died after being struck with an axe on the head. The incident occurred at Mbombela Village under Chief Malisa in Silobela on 4 August 2024 at about 2000 hours.
“We appeal for information that may assist in the arrest of the suspects, Priority Bhebhe and Elvis Mpofu,” said Inspector Mahoko.
Bhebhe and Mpofu come from the same village with the deceased and they had a long-standing dispute.
On the fateful day Sibanda left Mbombela Shopping Centre with a donkey drawn scotch cart in the company of one Wiseman Mpofu (24) also of Mbombela Village and Bhebhe.
They met Elvis Mpofu on the way who flashed the now deceased with a torch forcing him to stop. A misunderstanding arose. Priority Bhebhe disembarked from the scotch cart and joined the scuffle supporting Elvis Mpofu.
Bhebhe allegedly produced an axe from his jacket and struck Sibanda on the head before the two fled.
Sibanda was rushed to Silobela District Hospital and he died on the way.