Judge blasts Hope Fountain man for death of love rival

The man was sentenced to 10 years in jail

AN artisanal miner who, in a fit of rage, attacked his love rival with a pick, leading to the man’s death, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for murder.

The Bulawayo High Court was tense on Friday as Justice Ngoni Nduna handed down the heavy sentence to Nanzelela Ncube (33) of Hope Fountain, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, who was convicted of savagely assaulting his rival with a pick.

In delivering the sentence, Justice Nduna described the attack as “brutal and unprovoked,” stressing that such violence could not be tolerated in society.

“What he did is senseless because he had not legally married the widow, and as such he had no right to take the law into his own hands and attack the elderly man after hearing rumours that he was in love with his wife,” said Justice Nduna.

“His claim that he was acting in self-defence is dismissed because the witness told the court that the deceased did not retaliate. Society needs to be protected from people like you.

“I concur with the State that you deliberately committed the offence and the State proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. You will be jailed for 20 years.”

In mitigation, Ncube said: “I am a breadwinner.

I have a wife and three children who entirely depend on me, and I look after my parents. I am very sorry to the family.

“I have spent 451 days in jail and this case has ruined my reputation in the community as I am now branded a murderer, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

In aggravation, Ms Tarisai Mutarisi submitted that the accused is guilty of a serious offence and a life was lost in a senseless manner.

“He failed to engage the deceased to solve the issue amicably but chose to attack him to death. The deceased was aged 61, which is a vulnerable age, and the accused failed to accord him respect but chose violence over a mere suspicion,” she said.

“He used a weapon and severely attacked him on the head, causing serious injuries, which resulted in his death. The State prays for a custodial sentence to show that it does not pay to engage in violence to solve disputes.”

The court heard that Ncube, consumed by rage after learning that the man was in love with his wife — herself a widow — launched a vicious attack that left the victim battered and broken.

According to evidence presented in court, last year on 10 April Ncube confronted his rival after rumours spread that the man was romantically involved with his wife.

In a fit of anger, he picked up a pick and struck the unsuspecting man repeatedly on the head, leaving him with serious injuries.

The elderly man was rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where he died upon arrival.