TWO suspects have been arrested on allegations of killing a 23-year-old man in Esigodini following a misunderstanding during a beer drinking binge before dumping the body in the river on Sunday at Carmen Farm.

Lawrence Khumalo’s body was found the following day with a deformed skull after being dumped into Umzingwane River.

Police have since arrested Mncedisi Ncube and Thobani Khumalo (26).

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the two arrested men are suspected to have been with a third man, only known as “Boss”, when they allegedly fatally assaulted Lawrence Khumalo aged 23 all over the body with stones and logs after a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue at a beer binge.

“On noticing that the victim was unconscious, the suspects threw the victim into Umzingwane River. The body was later found floating in the river with a deformed skull on Monday,” he said.

Meanwhile, police in Nyanga have intensified investigations into a case in which they recovered the remains of a five-year-old girl on a mountain, a few days after she was last seen walking with a man towards his residence.

The victim’s body parts were also found scattered all over the scene and police have since launched investigations on the case.

Investigations revealed that the girl was reported missing on December 4 before her remains were discovered about six days later.

“The victim, who had been reported missing on December 4, 2021, was last seen in company of a male suspect aged 38 walking towards the suspect’s residence. Anyone with information to report at any nearest police station,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

Police have also confirmed the arrest of Farai Mpunzi (40), Ndodana Sibanda (30), Mqondisi Sibanda (30), Aneli Sibanda (25), Obvious Nyoni (26) and Luckmore Ncube in connection with a killing at Bunyip Mine, Filabusi last Friday at around 7pm.

The six, who were armed with machetes and spears, are suspected of being the group that attacked Eric Mahlangu (22) over allegations of trespassing.

One of the attackers stabbed the victim on the right thigh with a spear. The victim tried to escape but collapsed and died a few metres from the scene.

In a related case, Police in Mbare have arrested a suspected mentally challenged woman who struck her mother on the forehead with an iron bar on December 1.

The victim, whose condition is critical, is admitted at Sally Mugabe Hospital while the suspect is receiving treatment at the same hospital’s Psychiatric Unit.