Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
A 32-year-old artisanal miner from Chivi, Masvingo Province, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for a fatal stabbing and serious assault committed seven years ago.
The conviction follows a brutal knife attack that killed one fellow miner and gravely wounded another.
Tawanda Kubvoruno, of Mandiva Village, was convicted of murder and attempted murder by Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, sitting on circuit in Gweru.
In sentencing Kubvoruno, Justice Mutevedzi emphasised the need to send a strong message about the consequences of violence, particularly among artisanal miners, where territorial and gold claim disputes have frequently led to bloodshed.
He expressed concern over the rising number of fatalities among artisanal miners, often stemming from petty disputes involving gold claims.
“Precious lives are being lost unnecessarily over trivial matters. There is a need to respect the sanctity of human life,” said Justice Mutevedzi.
Prosecutor Mr Talent Tadenyika told the court that the incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2018 at Oasis Night Club, located at the Mberengwa Turn-off Business Centre.
The deceased, Francis Sibanda (30), and the surviving victim, Dumiso Donga (22), had been drinking beer with others when an altercation broke out between them and Kubvoruno and his accomplices. The reason for the dispute was not disclosed in court papers.
During the confrontation, Kubvoruno threatened to stab Sibanda with a knife, prompting Donga to pull his friend out of the nightclub. The pair then decided to continue drinking at another venue, Kuripwakugara Night Club.
However, Kubvoruno and his accomplices followed them and began pelting them with stones.
“Kubvoruno caught up with Sibanda, pulled out a knife and stabbed him once in the chest. Sibanda collapsed. When Donga knelt down to assist his friend, Kubvoruno stabbed him once on the head, five times on the back, and kicked him in the head before fleeing,” said Mr Tadenyika.
Sibanda was rushed to Mberengwa District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Donga was transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he was treated for multiple stab wounds and later discharged.
A post-mortem conducted by Dr Roberto Lara Diaz at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) confirmed that Sibanda died due to hypovolemic shock, artery laceration, and stab wounds.
The matter was reported to the police, and Kubvoruno was arrested on March 7, 2019 after evading capture for several months.
Bongani Ndlovu