Zimbabwean police in Beitbridge have arrested one of the three suspects who allegedly brutally murdered a 28-year-old South Africa man by stabbing him with a knife before robbing him of R50 at Dumba Village near Beitbridge town last month, police have said.

Police spokesman for Matabeleland South Province Insp Trust Ndlovu said the suspect was arrested on Monday (14 May) in Beitbridge, following a public tip-off. "We arrested one of the murder suspects who ganged up with his other two accomplices, who are still at large, before they stabbed a South African man. In fact, we would like to believe the suspect intended to flee to South Africa through border jumping," he said.

Ndlovu said the suspect was now in their custody and assisting police with investigations. "The suspect is now assisting us with investigations, which could possibly lead to the arrest the other two suspects who are currently on the run, and as police we have intensified the manhunt for them," said the police spokesman. He said the suspect would soon appear in court, facing a murder charge.

The murder incident occurred on April 27 at around 22:00 at Dumba village, about 15km from Beitbridge town in Zimbabwe.

The victim was with his cousin and they were coming from drinking beer at a nearby homestead, when they were confronted by three unknown suspects, wielding knives and knobkerries. One of the suspects then grabbed the victim by the collar, while others searched his pockets before robbing him of R50.

They then stabbed him several times all over his body, using a knife, and he died on the spot. However, the victim’s cousin managed to escape and the suspects tried to chase after him, but he managed to outpace them.

The cousin then went to a nearby police station where he reported the matter to the police.

The body of the victim, who was reportedly on a weekend visit to Zimbabwe from Thohoyandou, has since been transported to South Africa.