Staff ReporterIn a harrowing incident that has left the Barnsley community in shock, 26-year-old Lazarus Makono, a health care assistant originally from Zimbabwe, was declared dead at the scene of a stabbing in the early hours of February 21. South Yorkshire Police were dispatched to a residence on Cooperative Street following reports of the stabbing around 1:21 am.
The investigation has led to the arrest of five individuals, including another Zimbabwean, 27-year-old Terrance Mlotshwa of Ripley Avenue in Derby, who has been charged with murder. Alongside him, a 28-year-old man is being held on suspicion of murder, while a 32-year-old man and two women, aged 20 and 25, were arrested and later released on bail, suspected of assisting an offender.
Lazarus Makono was described in a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign as a “vibrant soul” whose untimely departure has created an irreplaceable void among his loved ones. The campaign aims to raise funds to repatriate his body to Zimbabwe for burial, a testament to the profound impact of his loss on the community and his family.
Senior Investigating Officer Ben Wood has expressed his commitment to uncovering the details of the incident, emphasizing the devastating impact on Makono’s family and the broader community. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Makono’s tragic death has not only highlighted the close-knit nature of the community he was a part of but also the sense of loss felt by those who knew him, including his friendship with Mlotshwa. As the investigation continues, the community seeks answers and justice for a life cut tragically short.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for community support and cooperation with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice and to honor the memory of Lazarus Makono, whose life was taken far too soon.
