Langa Mabena
High Court Judge Justice Naison Chivayo has sentenced Gweru artisanal miner Courage Hwami to life imprisonment for a violent bar murder.
The 35-year-old, from Mkoba 13 suburb, faced charges of murder and attempted murder during his appearance at the Gweru High Court Circuit on Saturday. Hwami allegedly used an AK-47 Columbia knife to stab two individuals, including a teenager, resulting in one death.
Despite pleading not guilty, he was convicted after a full trial. Justice Chivayo sentenced him to life for murder and an additional 10 years for attempted murder, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Hwami claimed he carried the knife for protection as an artisanal miner. The court heard that on December 4, 2023, around 3 a.m. at Vhudzijena Night Club, he had a dispute with Courage Sibanda, the deceased. Caretaker Nomore Hove intervened to resolve the argument.
However, Hwami later approached Sibanda and stabbed him twice—once in the chest and once in the back—causing severe injuries. Sibanda ran outside the bar but collapsed and died shortly after.
Hwami then pursued Hove and stabbed him once in the chest before fleeing toward Mkoba 13. Hove was treated for his injuries at Gweru Provincial Hospital.
The police arrested Hwami and recovered the knife, while Sibanda’s body was sent to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem. Dr. Maibelys Gavilan Acosta determined that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to stab wounds to the chest.
(Afrogazette.co.zw)
Online Reporter