Killer teen (16) spared jail time

Mashudu Mambo

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from New Magwegwe suburb in Bulawayo has escaped jail by a whisker after he assaulted Sphamandla Mpofu to death with a brick on the head.

The assailant who cannot be named for ethical reasons appeared before High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda facing a charge of murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was convicted after trial.

He was sentenced to four years which were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that on 11 December 2023 at around 4pm, the deceased who was in company of a female friend were walking towards Lobengula West suburb when they met up with the culprit and his three friends who were seated at a storm drain.

The perpetrator called Mpofu who immediately sensed danger and ran away. Later on that day, the culprit and his friends met up with the deceased and the accused attacked him with a red cement face brick behind his ear and he fell to the ground.

The duo fled and later returned to examine his condition but found him missing from the crime scene. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the culprit.

During the trial, Priscilla Tafirenyika, a police officer stationed at Magwegwe Police Station told the court that the deceased reported the matter before his death.

“On 11 December 2023, the now deceased arrived at the charge office bleeding from his right ear and we recorded his statement,” she said.