Duo up for murder

Senior Court Reporter
TWO Bulawayo men were arrested for allegedly teaming up and stoning a local man to death following a misunderstanding during a drinking spree at a shebeen. Mphathisi Sibanda (28) and Mkhululi Masuku (35) both of Entumbane suburb were not asked to plead to a murder charge when they appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Willard Maphios Moyo.

They were both remanded on $300 bail each to 21 August after the Attorney-General’s Office consented to their application.
The prosecutor, Mr Whatmore Tembo, said on 26 July, Sibanda and Masuku were drinking beer at a shebeen in Entumbane together with the now deceased, Mr Mkhulunyelwa Ngwenya. The court was told that Sibanda had a misunderstanding with Mr Ngwenya resulting in a fight. Masuku who is Sibanda’s neighbour joined in the brawl.

They picked up stones and struck Ngwenya all over the body resulting in him sustaining serious injuries.
Soon after committing the offence, the two men fled from the scene.

Mr Ngwenya was later admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare where he died a few days later. It was not mentioned in court how he ended up being admitted in a Harare hospital.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Masuku and Sibanda last week. Police investigations are still underway.
Meanwhile, another Bulawayo man was yesterday sentenced to an effective 12 months in jail for beating up his neighbour with a pair of dragon sticks resulting in two of his ribs breaking.

Moment Maphosa (38) of House Number 3330 Emganwini was convicted on his own plea of guilty to an assault charge by Mr Moyo.
He was sentenced to one-and-a half years in jail of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar offence.

The prosecutor, Mr Sijabulisiwe Siziba, said on 28 July at around 8.25pm, the complainant, Mr Sibagobe Ndebele and Maphosa were at the former’s house in Emganwini when an altercation ensued.

The dispute degenerated into a fight during which Maphosa struck Ndebele with a pair of dragon sticks on the ribs resulting in a fracture.
Ndebele was rushed to hospital and a report was made to the police leading to Maphosa’s arrest.