TWO brothers aged 21 and 19, from Limpopo near Dete
allegedly set their homestead on fire on Wednesday night before committing
suicide by hanging side-by-side on separate trees after they allegedly stole
food from a local school.
Rahman Ngulube, 19, allegedly hanged himself on
Wednesday night while his elder brother Trymore went on to hang himself on a
nearby tree on Thursday morning.
The two brothers, who stayed alone, had allegedly
torched their homestead on Wednesday night.
Police retrieved their bodies on Thursday afternoon,
villagers told News.
Villagers said Trymore and Rahman allegedly hanged
themselves after being implicated in the theft of food meant for the schools
feeding programme at Nabushome Primary School in the area.
Chief Dingane-Nelukoba confirmed the incident which
occurred in Simukululwe Village under village head Matikiti.
“I got a call from the council chairperson who told
me about the issue. It’s really shocking especially for us who knew the history
of the two boys,” said Chief Dingane-Nelukoba.
He said the duo could have panicked after hearing
that they were suspects in the alleged theft.
“They took grass and torched all their huts and fowl
run and the youngest one hanged himself on Wednesday night while his elder
brother remained at home. On Thursday morning his brother also hanged himself
next to him after drawing an arrow pointing to where they had hidden part of
the loot,” said the Chief.
It is alleged that an undisclosed number of 10kg
bags of mealie-meal were recovered after villagers followed the arrow.
The stolen goods comprised mealie-meal and other
groceries and a bed among other items.
Chief Dingane-Nelukoba said they suspect the two
brothers could have committed suicide fearing for their lives after being
threatened by some accomplices in the theft.
“It’s strange because the two had no scotch cart at
their homestead but they carried the loot using one. That needs to be
investigated because it shows they were not alone and could have decided to
kill themselves out of fear after being threatened,” he said.
“They were well behaved and maybe hunger could have
forced them to steal. Our worry is why the village head excluded them from
drought relief programmes because naturally they should have benefited.”
He said burial is likely to be today after which he
will gather his subjects to “solve issues because there is a lot happening”.
Their mother is reportedly in Botswana while the
father is also said to be in Victoria Falls, News Learnt
Village head Matikiti, who is the duo’s neighbour
couldn’t be reached for comment as he was said to be in Gwayi but his wife Mrs
Matikiti confirmed the recovery of some bags of mealie-meal.
Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant
Inspector Eglon Nkala referred questions to National police spokesperson Senior
Assistant Commissioner who said she was yet to receive a report.
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