Unknown assailants struck a woman from Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo with a stone on her head, leading to her death in hospital two days later.
Patrionalla Zimende, 23, an employee at Oceans Foods, was attacked on Saturday evening at about 8PM at the same spot where another resident was killed last year.
Best Ntini, Zimende’s uncle, told The Chronicle his niece staggered home, less than 100 metres from where she was attacked, and collapsed as she walked into the house.
He said she did not regain consciousness until her death at the United Bulawayo Hospitals’ Intensive Care Unit on Monday.
“We buried her today at Luveve Cemetery,” said Ntini.
He said it was difficult to accept Zimende’s death because her life was “violently and unexpectedly taken away in her prime.”
Ntini said the family was shattered because her attackers are unknown.
He said Zimende was attacked at the same kombi drop off point where another resident was killed while others have been robbed of their valuables.
“She was attacked just 10 metres from where another resident was killed. She was hit with a large stone on the head and she bled profusely. It seems she was left for dead but she managed to find her way home. She collapsed as she walked into the house,” Ntini said.
He said her body was covered with blood and she did not even utter a single word until she died.
“We rushed her to UBH where she was placed in the ICU. Her condition didn’t improve and on Monday at about 4AM we were phoned by the hospital telling us that she had died,” Ntini said.
He said police should ensure that her attackers are arrested to bring closure to the family.
“Our wish is that her attacker(s) get arrested. We call on members of the public who might have information to assist us so that those who killed her may pay,” said Ntini.
Another resident, Busani Dube, said Zimende could have been attacked by locals.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Godfrey Malaba, called for more police presence in the area, saying residents should not continue living hostage to criminals.
“We need police to continue patrolling the area. We can’t continue losing people in the same place. The area is now a hotspot for robbers,” said Malaba.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could not be reached for comment. The Chronicle
