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IN a shocking incident that underscores the volatility of some social settings, a Bulawayo man, Kelvin Moyo (39), has been sentenced to an effective two years in prison for a brutal axe attack on another imbiber, simply because the victim was enjoying a “clear beer” at a local shebeen.
Wonder Moyo was struck twice on the head and once on the cheek, in what was described as a vicious and unprovoked altercation.
Appearing before Tredgold magistrate Matthew Mutiro, Kelvin was handed a 36-month prison term.
However, 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve 24 months behind bars for the savage assault and robbery.
Prosecutor Dominic Moyo detailed the disturbing events that unfolded on the night of March 8.
Wonder was walking home along Walker Road in Sunninghill around 9pm when Kelvin, flanked by two unidentified accomplices, ambushed him.
“They emerged from the side of the road. Kelvin accused Wonder of being arrogant for drinking clear beer,” said the prosecutor.
“Then he pulled an axe from his waist and struck him twice on the head and once on the face.”
As Wonder collapsed, bleeding and dazed, the trio ransacked his pockets, stealing US$23 before disappearing into the night. Despite the severe injuries he sustained, Wonder managed to drag himself to the police station and later received treatment at Mpilo Central Hospital. The incident has left the Sunninghill community shaken, with many expressing shock that a simple beer choice could provoke such savagery.
Police have since launched a manhunt for Kelvin’s two accomplices. — B-Metro
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Stepmother bites boy for not folding blankets
A 27-year-old Chegutu woman has been convicted of child cruelty after brutally assaulting her stepson aged 13 over untidy blankets.
She appeared before the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court and was found guilty of ill-treating a minor under her care.
According to court evidence, on April 10, the woman flew into a rage after her stepson failed to fold his blankets. She repeatedly slapped and punched the child on the head and even bit him on the back, leaving him with visible injuries.
The savage attack took place at their home in Chegutu’s Industrial Area.
Unable to endure the abuse, the terrified boy fled the house and reported the matter to the police. The woman was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
However, four months were suspended for five years on condition she does not reoffend, while the remaining six months were set aside if she completes 210 hours of community service. — Mashonaland West Bureau
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Man accuses sisters-in-law of witchcraft
Hardwork Nyakunu, of Harare, is making startling accusations against his two sisters-in-law, alleging they bewitched him.
Nyakunu claims their actions have left him plagued by persistent bloating and farting. He further alleges their sinister intention is to take his life, just as he believes they were responsible for the mysterious death of his wife last year.
These bizarre allegations came to light when Nyakunu appeared before Chief Mutasa’s community court, detailing the sudden and inexplicable decline in his health after Jenny Arifasi and her sister’s unannounced overnight stay at his residence in April.
“They did not even bother to inform me that they would be visiting that day. I only found out around 4pm, when I was on my way home from work,” Nyakunu told the court.
“Yes, indeed, I told them that I fell ill after their visit because that is exactly what happened. I became ill after they left and the fact that they did not warn me about their visit proves they wanted to catch me off-guard.”
He claimed his stomach complications began shortly after his sisters-in-law’s departure, emphasising he had never experienced such symptoms before.
He noted that the pain, discomfort and inability to eat were eerily similar to what his late wife endured before her death in May last year.
“My wife, who was their sister, passed away last year in May and the symptoms she exhibited before her death are identical to what I am experiencing now after their visit. I strongly suspect that they had a hand in this,” alleged Nyakunu.
He revealed he is currently under medical care.
“The doctor advised that I undergo an endoscopy. My stomach is extremely painful; it is making strange noises and I am struggling to eat. I never experienced these symptoms before, but they started after these two women visited me without warning.”
Nyakunu further expressed his suspicions regarding his sisters-in-law’s involvement in his wife’s illness.
“When my wife fell ill, they took her to a traditional healer, who then blamed my own relatives for her condition. I was shocked when I fell ill in the same manner after their visit. It suggests that they bewitched their own sister — my wife — and now they are after me. My relatives were not to blame,” he claimed.
In a dramatic twist, Nyakunu stunned the court by producing what he alleged was the food his sisters-in-law had left at his home following their April visit.
“I have even brought the food they left that day as evidence,” he declared, presenting the food as an exhibit to support his claims.
One of the accused sisters-in-law, Jenny Arifasi, vehemently denied the allegations, arguing their visit was merely a brief stopover on their way to Murewa.
“On April 11, 2025, our aunty called us to visit her at her Murewa home. We decided to visit Nyakunu, our late sister’s husband, en route to Murewa to pay our respects and catch up with him,” she explained.
Arifasi confirmed they arrived at Nyakunu’s residence just as he was returning from work. He asked them to cook, but they declined, having already eaten at a relative’s house in Harare. They spent the night at the home and departed the following morning.
Arifasi recounted that three days later, Nyakunu informed her he was unwell, claiming his condition began after their visit.
“He asked me what we had done to him. I inquired about his diet and he suggested that he could come to stay at my home if his health did not improve,” she said.
Arifasi added that Nyakunu continued to call her for four consecutive days, accusing them of plotting to harm and eliminate him.
“He claimed his stomach ache was identical to what our late sister, his wife, had experienced before her death. I asked him if he was insinuating that we had bewitched our sister, leading to her death. He replied in the affirmative,” said Arifasi, adding that their brother had intervened, urging them to resolve the matter amicably before it escalated.
“However, the truth is, we did not cook for him. Instead, he bought food for us and we left some behind when we departed.”
Chief Mutasa ultimately dismissed Nyakunu’s accusations, advising him to focus on medical diagnosis and treatment rather than attributing his illness to witchcraft.
“There is always a first time for everything. Your symptoms, a perpetually bloated stomach, do not necessarily indicate witchcraft. It could be acid reflux or an ulcer. Undergo medical tests (endoscopic procedures) and seek help,” Chief Mutasa advised.
“This is not a matter of witchcraft, but rather a medical issue. Examine your diet and note that passing gas is not uncommon or indicative of witchcraft.” — Manica Post
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Imbiber stabbed to death in cellphone theft row
An imbiber met a gruesome end in Bulawayo after being accused of stealing a cellphone from a patron at a sports bar in Nkenyane, along the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road.
What began as a beer-fuelled argument quickly escalated into a brutal mob attack, leaving the man stabbed multiple times and dead on the roadside.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with terrified residents now fearing for their own safety.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the murder, stating the victim’s body was discovered opposite a local sports bar.
“We can confirm that a man was found dead on the road directly opposite a sports bar in Nkenyane. The people who murdered him have not yet been identified and investigations are underway,” she said.
Inspector Msebele strongly urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.
“We want to strongly warn residents against mob justice. These actions often result in the unnecessary loss of life, as we have seen in this tragic case,” she added.
A witness, Nomathemba Moyo, who works near the bar, identified the deceased as Bongani Khanye. She recounted seeing Khanye having a heated exchange with another man inside the bar over a missing cellphone. Moments later, a group of six men stormed the bar, found Bongani drinking and viciously assaulted him.
“They stabbed him several times. It was horrifying. I saw the knives and I just ran. I do not know who those men are, but they looked dangerous,” she said.
Another witness, Herman Rushambwe, who was working nearby, saw the commotion from a distance. “I was busy on the farm and saw people fighting, but I could not clearly see their faces,” he said.
Local resident Sehliselo Sibanda expressed the community’s palpable fear. “People here are scared. Those men could come back and harm others. We are not safe,” he said.
Police are appealing for any information that could help identify the attackers and bring them to justice. — Bulawayo Bureau
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