One cell number, one plank, one woman dead

A Lovendale, Umguza woman is dead, beaten with a wooden plank by her enraged husband who allegedly flew into a jealous rage after discovering an unfamiliar cellphone number on her phone.

The body of Adams Samkeliso (47) was pronounced dead on arrival at Mpilo Hospital in the early hours of 30 March 2026, following a brutal assault at the hands of her husband, Titus Masiya (54).

Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the violence began over a domestic dispute that escalated out of control.

“The now-deceased had a misunderstanding with her husband over the issue of a cell number which was in her cell phone,” said Inspector Msebele.

She detailed how the couple argued at around 2000 hours on 29 March 2026 but eventually retired to bed. However, just after 0230 hours the following morning, the situation turned fatal.

Inspector Msebele described the attack as merciless.
“The accused person took a plank and hit the now-deceased all over the body several times.”

The dying woman managed to break free and tried to flee from her own home, but her husband gave chase.

“The now-deceased tried to run away but he pursued her, caught up with her, and continued to hit her,” said Inspector.
She was only saved from further blows when a neighbor, woken by her desperate cries, rushed out and confronted the attacker. Masiya then fled the scene into the night.

Neighbors found Samkeliso in a pool of blood. She had suffered a deep cut to the back of her head, a broken left arm, and severe bruising to her right arm. Despite being rushed to Mpilo Hospital, medics could not save her life.

Inspector Msebele used the horrific incident to plead with couples to find peaceful resolutions to their problems.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the fugitive husband, Masiya.

In an unrelated incident, A Bulawayo man is fighting for his life at Mpilo Hospital after being shot in the stomach in the early hours of 1 April 2026, an incident police have described as a brazen attempted murder.

The 40-year-old victim, a resident of Pumula South, had stepped outside his home around midnight to relieve himself when he stumbled upon a suspect attempting to break into a nearby vending stall cabin.

In a matter of seconds, a routine moment turned into a violent confrontation.

“The victim heard suspicious noises near a cabin used as a vending stall. When he went to investigate and confronted the unknown male accused, the suspect produced a firearm and shot him once in the stomach,” said Inspector Msebele.

The victim’s cries for help alerted his 39-year-old wife, who rushed outside to find her husband bleeding profusely on the ground. He was conscious and managed to describe the shocking encounter before being rushed for medical attention.

“We are appealing urgently to members of the community. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of this dangerous individual must come forward,” Inspector Msebele said.

“Shooting an unarmed resident in the dead of night shows a complete disregard for human life. We cannot allow this cowardice to go unpunished.”

A police report was filed at approximately 0130 hours and detectives have since launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspect.

The victim remains in serious but stable condition at Mpilo Hospital.