Tributes for Nathan Mwanza, 23, stabbed to death at Wyndham Vale bus stop
A 23-year-old stabbed to death at a bus stop in Melbourne’s west has been remembered as a “gentle giant”, as his devastated father issued an emotional plea to “stop killing people for nothing”.
Police & Courts
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Samuel Mwanza could not control his grief, brought to his knees at the bus stop where his son had been viciously killed on Wednesday night.
His beloved 23-year-old boy, Nathan, had been bashed and stabbed to death on a Wyndham Vale nature strip in a callous murder caught entirely on CCTV.
Nathan Mwanza, a successful model from Werribee, never stood a chance as two offenders launched a “brutal” attack while on a bus stopped at Haines Drive about 8pm.
Horrific footage, seen by the Herald Sun, showed the two men allegedly punching, kicking and stabbing Mr Mwanza as he lay defenceless on the grass next to the bus stop.
He died at the scene.
Mr Mwanza’s father, Samuel, visited the scene on Thursday and was seen wailing on the ground where his son had been killed.
“He never had a problem with anybody,” he said.
“Why did they kill my son? For what? Stop killing people for nothing.
“This can happen to anyone. This wasn’t at midnight or 3am, it was almost broad daylight, it’s unbelievable.”
Mr Mwanza was an emerging model who was signed under global agency Priscilla Models, representing brands and stores including Nike, Champion, and Hype DC.
Nathan’s sister, Naomi, said her younger brother always made everyone laugh.
She said he had plans to buy a car, visit cousins in Canada in June before eventually moving to Britain.
“He wasn’t a troublemaker. He would never, ever hurt a fly,” she said.
“He didn’t have issues with anyone, and if he did, we would know, because he talks about every single thing.
“I was praying and hoping it wasn’t real. They’ve broken us, they’ve taken a piece of us.”
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the homicide squad said the two alleged offenders were yet to be located on Thursday and remained a danger to the community.
He said detectives were unsure if Mr Mwanza knew of his attackers – but the victim was not known to police.
“They are dangerous given they’ve shown their propensity to commit this type of crime,” he said.
“It’s brutal.”
The sickening CCTV footage showed the trio, including Mr Mwanza, initially fighting on the near-empty bus before exiting at Haines Drive.
The offenders continued their onslaught on a nature strip next to the bus stop.
The two men allegedly punched and kicked Mr Mwanza as he lay defenceless on the grass and bushes before the fatal blows were delivered.
One of the alleged offenders, who was seen wielding a huge blade, was then seen plunging the knife into Mr Mwanza several times.
This is when the bus driver left the bus stop and drove along Haines Drive.
Mr Mwanza’s alleged attackers then calmly walked along Vaughan St as he lay dead on the side of the road.
They showed no mercy.
Questions are likely to be raised as to why the bus driver, who was sitting about 3m from a dying Mr Mwanza, decided to drive off instead of rendering assistance.
The security cameras on the bus – along with witness statements from those on board – will be central in the investigation.
Several friends and family members returned to the scene on Thursday.
They were inconsolable.
They hugged each other as Mr Mwanza’s father knelt to the ground where his son’s blood was left on the road.
It was an extremely raw and confronting scene.
Mr Mwanza’s uncle, Tresor Mugunyi, said his family had moved from Congo about 20 years ago for a safer life.
“That is senseless killing,” he said.
“This has to stop. This cannot be taken lightly. You can’t just go around killing people.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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