Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana
A 35-year-old Inyathi man who fatally struck his workmate with an axe following a violent attack has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the High Court. Gideon Chitanga, of Allendale A Farm in Inyathi, Matabeleland North Province, was convicted of murder for killing Future Makhole on 17 December 2023.
The sentence was handed down by High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa, who was sitting on circuit at Hwange Magistrates’ Court. The State was represented by prosecutor Mrs Martha Cheda.
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Makhole had been drinking beer with his brother, Mandla Makhole, at Save Khumalo’s homestead in the Allendale A Farm compound.
At around 11:30am, the now deceased left the homestead without stating his destination. Later that afternoon, at about 2pm, a fellow farm worker, Bobby Sithole, made a grim discovery while returning from a nearby garden. He noticed what appeared to be a white object lying in the grass close to a footpath.
Upon closer inspection, Sithole realised it was Makhole’s lifeless body. The deceased had sustained severe head injuries, including deep cuts above the right eye and on both sides of his head. Sithole alerted other workers and the deceased’s relatives, who rushed to the scene.
The court heard that a trail of blood was observed leading away from the body. The trail was followed and led directly to Chitanga’s homestead. Upon arrival, witnesses noticed blood stains on the door of the accused’s house. Chitanga, who was inside at the time, denied any knowledge of the incident.
The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene and launched investigations. Evidence presented in court showed that officers followed the same blood trail to the accused’s house, where they found further incriminating signs. Blood stains were discovered on the floor and walls inside the house, as well as on the accused’s black safety shoes and clothing.
A blood-stained axe, believed to be the murder weapon, was also recovered from the premises. Chitanga was subsequently arrested.
A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed that the cause of death was severe head trauma consistent with multiple blows from a sharp object.
In passing sentence, Justice Kabasa highlighted the brutality of the attack and the use of a lethal weapon, which demonstrated a clear intention to kill or reckless disregard for human life.
Chitanga was convicted of murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Londile Moyo