Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THREE Bulawayo men have been jailed for causing the death of a fellow patron who fell into a sewer pond while being chased from a bar in Mvuma.
High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi has sentenced Simbarashe Muneri (39), his brother Munyaradzi (32), and Junior Thando Nkomo (39) to five years’ imprisonment for culpable homicide following a full trial.
Justice Mutevedzi was sitting at the Bulawayo High Court circuit held at Gweru Magistrates’ Court.
Lawyer, Ms Omega Tuso Maputsenyika, of Maputsenyika Legal Practice, represented the three men. The trio had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to culpable homicide.
Three years were suspended on condition that they do not commit a violent offence, leaving an effective sentence of two years.
The court heard that what began as a night of drinking at a bar located at Dinson Manhize Steel Plant, Mvuma, ended in tragedy on 29 June 2025.
After a dispute with the deceased, Simbarashe Chinguruve (28), the three men chased him from the bar, assaulted him, and threw him into a sewer pond at the Dinson Manhize Steel Plant.
“The accused persons are hereby sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, of which three years are suspended on condition that the accused persons do not commit an offence involving violence. Therefore, the effective sentence is two years,” Justice Mutevedzi said.
Chinguruve’s body was only recovered 18 days later in a decomposing state. A post-mortem examination at United Bulawayo Hospital found the cause of death was a subarachnoid haemorrhage and a depressed skull fracture.
The court heard that the incident began after Chinguruve returned to the bar from taking a call and was stopped by Munyaradzi, who accused him of being disorderly.
An argument broke out and the three accused chased him from the premises.
Witness Moses Muchayana told the court he had been drinking with Chinguruve earlier that night but left after the altercation began, fearing involvement.
Simbarashe and Munyaradzi are from Tshabalala Suburb in Bulawayo, while Nkomo is from Nketa 7. Chinguruve was from Ngundu Village under Chief Chirumanzu in Mvuma.
