Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THREE convicted murderers and two drug traffickers have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms, ranging from eight years to life imprisonment, following recent rulings in separate cases across Zimbabwe.
Police have applauded the judiciary for imposing deterrent sentences that underscore the country’s tough stance on violent crime and drug trafficking.
In the most harrowing of the cases, a 38-year-old man from Plumtree, Tafirei Ndlovu, was sentenced to two life terms for the murder of his two children.
The incident occurred on April 5, 2022, in Madabe, under Chief Wasi, following a dispute with his wife over custody arrangements.
According to police, Ndlovu, with the help of an accomplice still at large, Kudzani Muthukuthu, locked up his children in a kitchen hut and set it on fire, killing both minors.
Confirming the conviction, Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said Ndlovu was tried at the Bulawayo High Court and found guilty of double murder.
“Following his arrest, the accused person was arraigned before the court, where he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two counts by Justice Ngonidzashe Nduna at Bulawayo High Court on July 7, 2025,” she said.
In another case, 34-year-old Ngonidzashe Mvura of Plot 6/10 Government Farm in Kadoma was handed a 25-year prison sentence for fatally stabbing a man during an altercation on July 21, 2024.
The victim succumbed to his injuries, and Mvura was later convicted by the Chinhoyi High Court on July 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo High Court also convicted 20-year-old David Mathuthu of Village 18B, Nkankezi in Filabusi, for murder.
The offence stemmed from a violent dispute over a girlfriend, during which Mathuthu stabbed the victim to death on June 20, 2023.
Justice Nduna sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to applaud the courts for their collaborative efforts in ensuring justice is served.
“We continue to urge members of the public to find amicable ways of solving differences,” said Detective Insp Muteweri.
In addition to murder convictions, two individuals have been jailed for drug trafficking as the country intensifies its crackdown on the drug and substance abuse crisis.
At the Beitbridge Regional Court, 43-year-old James Vengesai of Rukweza 2 Village under Chief Chirumhanzu was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was caught smuggling 54kg of mbanje (cannabis) through Beitbridge Border Post.
He was arrested on July 2, 2025, during a joint security operation targeting cross-border crimes.
Magistrate Mrs Charity Maphosa presided over the case.
In a separate ruling, 47-year-old Evelyne Pika of Jongwe Street, Mufakose in Harare, was also convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of 31kg of mbanje.
