Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A Binga man, who brutally stabbed former Cabinet Minister, and long-serving Binga South legislator, Mr Joel Gabbuza, leaving him permanently blind in one eye, has been sentenced to six years in prison, with two years conditionally suspended, by the Hwange Regional Court.
Samson Siazuza (46) of Kenyango Village under Chief Pashu will serve an effective four years following his conviction for attempted murder by regional magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube.
In his defence, Siazuza denied the charge, claiming he acted in self-defence after allegedly finding Gabbuza in bed with his estranged wife. He told the court he had stabbed the former minister only three times, a claim that was dismissed by medical evidence, which revealed multiple stab wounds inconsistent with his version of events.
The court heard that the attack occurred on June 5, when Gabbuza (58) offered transport to Siazuza’s estranged wife, Rumbidzai Munsaka, from Kamativi Business Centre to her mother’s homestead in Siamwaka Village. After dropping her off, Gabbuza reportedly parked his vehicle at the homestead to rest.
Consumed by rage and jealousy, Siazuza, accompanied by a relative, Smart Birthwell Siazuza, who is still at large, allegedly stormed the homestead and pulled Gabbuza out of his parked vehicle.
He then stabbed the veteran politician in the right eye with a home-made knife, while his accomplice struck him on the head with a log.
The pair allegedly took turns assaulting Gabbuza with logs and a knife, leaving him unconscious and bleeding.
Munsaka, who was inside the house, testified that she fled the scene to seek help after hearing Gabbuza’s screams, telling the court that she had long separated from Siazuza, who had since married another woman.
The violent attack left Gabbuza with permanent blindness in his right eye, deep head wounds, and nerve damage to his left hand. He was initially admitted to Hwange Colliery Hospital before being airlifted to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, where he has been receiving specialist treatment.
Police recovered the knife and logs used in the attack, which were presented as exhibits during the trial.
Gabbuza, a prominent politician, served as Minister of Water Resources Development and Management in the 2009-2013 Government of National Unity and represented Binga South in Parliament for over two decades before his recall in 2023.
