Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A night of drinking that began with a disagreement over beer ended in tragedy at a business centre in Binga, leaving one young man dead and another facing 20 years behind bars.
Desire Tshuma (24) was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted of murdering 21-year-old Obedience Siatabantu during an altercation at Ntandoyabantu Business Centre in Lubimbi, Binga.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo, sitting on circuit in Hwange, handed down the sentence on Thursday following Tshuma’s conviction for murder. The State was represented by prosecutor Ms Memory Munsaka.
The court heard that the incident occurred on November 5, 2025 at Ability Mudenda’s shop at Ntandoyabantu Business Centre.
Tshuma and Siatabantu were drinking beer with other patrons when a dispute broke out.
Tshuma reportedly told Siatabantu that he no longer wanted to drink with him because he had run out of money to contribute towards more beer.
The argument quickly escalated into a fist fight. During the scuffle, Siatabantu overpowered Tshuma, forcing him to run away.
Evidence presented in court showed that Siatabantu chased after Tshuma but fell to the ground. Tshuma then turned back, picked up a stone and struck him on the head before bystanders stepped in and separated the two men.
However, the intervention failed to end the confrontation.
A short while later, Tshuma returned to the scene while Siatabantu was seated outside the shop.
He allegedly stabbed him once in the left side of the abdomen before fleeing.
Siatabantu was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital and later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for specialised treatment.
Despite efforts to save his life, he died from his injuries the following day.
The State relied on testimony from eyewitnesses Happy Munkuli and Polite Ngwenya, who told the court they witnessed both the altercation and the fatal stabbing.
Investigating officer Sergeant Lovemore Dhlakama testified that Tshuma was arrested two days later, on 7 November 2025.
Although police were unable to recover the murder weapon, the accused made indications at the crime scene during investigations.
Post-mortem findings presented in court by Dr Jekenya confirmed that Siatabantu died as a result of the stab wound he sustained during the attack.
After considering the evidence, Justice Moyo found Tshuma guilty of murder and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case serves as a grim reminder of how minor disputes can quickly spiral out of control, with devastating and irreversible consequences.
