Kwekwe in-laws killer handed two life sentences

A sombre yet relieved atmosphere enveloped a Bulawayo High Court courtroom yesterday, as a 40-year-old man from Kwekwe was sentenced to two life imprisonment terms for the brutal murder of his in-laws, bringing to a close a harrowing three-year-old case.

In 2022, during a violent domestic dispute, Tafireyi Ndlovu viciously attacked the couple using a blunt object and an axe before setting their bodies alight in a kitchen hut, leaving behind a scene of horror and heartbreak.

Following the murders, Ndlovu abducted his wife, sparking a manhunt that culminated in his arrest in Botswana.
Ndlovu, who had been in custody since 2022, was sentenced on Monday by High Court judge, Justice Ngoni Nduna.

Delivering the sentence with a stern demeanour and resolute tone, Justice Nduna said the crime was clearly premeditated, as Ndlovu had travelled from Botswana with the intention to commit the heinous act.

“The accused burned the dead bodies. He acted in common purpose with one Kudzanai Muthukuthu, who is still at large. The accused used weapons such as axes and logs and mutilated the victims’ bodies by throwing them into the fire,” said the judge.

“You do not deserve to be part of society, and you are fortunate that the death penalty has been abolished as that is the fate you truly deserve.”

With a blank expression, Ndlovu silently accepted the sentence and was escorted to the holding cells before being transported to Khami Maximum Prison, where he is expected to spend the rest of his life.

Prosecuting, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza said Ndlovu committed the crime on 14 April 2022, murdering Mr Xolani Mpofu (40) and Ms Sibalungele Ncube (56), both of Madabe Village, under Chief Wasi in Plumtree.

“Ndlovu was their son-in-law and resided at Leon Farm, Sherwood, Kwekwe. He was married to their daughter, Nomsa,” said Mr Jaravaza.

He told the court that the marriage had been fraught with problems, primarily due to Ndlovu’s resentment towards Nomsa’s teenage son from a previous relationship.

“As tensions escalated, Nomsa left their matrimonial home in Botswana and returned to Zimbabwe to live with her parents. On the night of April 13, 2022, at around 10PM, her parents decided to sleep outside their bedroom hut because of the intense heat,” he said.

At around 2AM, Nomsa was awakened by her parents’ screams for help.

“When she opened the bedroom door to investigate, she was confronted by Ndlovu, who swung an axe at her but missed. She quickly retreated into the hut, where she saw the accused and his accomplice, Kudzanai Muthukuthu (still at large), viciously attacking her father with a log, striking him repeatedly,” said Mr Jaravaza.

He added that Ndlovu then ordered Nomsa to come out of the hut, which she did out of fear for her life.

“She observed that Mr Mpofu’s hand had been broken. The accused and Muthukuthu demanded the deceased’s mobile phones, which were handed over. Ndlovu then dragged Mr Mpofu into the hut and ordered Nomsa to follow,” he said.

“Later, he took the deceased outside again. After some time, he instructed Nomsa to come out, at which point she saw that both her parents were motionless.”

Jaravaza said Ndlovu and Muthukuthu ordered Nomsa to drag her parents’ bodies into the kitchen hut.

“They then demanded she pack all her belongings,” he continued.

“Muthukuthu forcibly took Nomsa from the homestead while Ndlovu set the kitchen hut ablaze. The two then escorted her to an undisclosed border point before fleeing to Botswana.”
On April 15, while still being held captive, Nomsa was rescued when police officers on patrol intercepted the trio, l

eading to Ndlovu’s arrest. He was later extradited to Zimbabwe to stand trial.