Online Reporter
Mashudu Mambo
THE tout from Bulawayo who murdered his colleague with an okapi knife in a dispute over bus fare has been slapped with an effective 30 years in prison.
Jabulani Maphosa was convicted and sentenced by the Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Niason Chivayo.
During the trial, a witness, Infact Sibanda indicated that the scuffle was a result of a dispute over bus fare.
“While we were at the bus station, we saw the accused arriving with two customers who wanted to travel to Tsholotsho. However, these passengers did not have enough money and the accused asked the deceased to book the tickets for them, but he declined.
“This led to a misunderstanding between the two and the accused left the scene. He returned a few minutes later and continued insulting the deceased while threatening to assault him.
“He suddenly drew an okapi knife from his trousers and stabbed the deceased once on the right side of the chest. This is when the deceased started screaming, indicating that he had been stabbed by Maphosa. The culprit stated that he would stab him again if he continued screaming,” said Sibanda.
The court heard that on December 5, 2022 at around 12pm, Maphosa approached the deceased in the company of two passengers who did not have enough bus fare but wanted to board to Tsholotsho.
Maphosa told the victim to book the tickets for the two but he refused citing that they had to pay the full price. This led to a misunderstanding between the two and Maphosa produced an okapi knife from his trousers and stabbed the deceased once on the right side of the chest.
The victim sustained a deep cut and a report was made at the police base in Nkulumane Mall. The scene was attended by Constable Mukova who accompanied the victim to Blessed Heart Clinic for treatment.
The victim was later transferred to Mpilo Hospital where he died upon admission. Maphosa was arrested close to the crime scene.
