Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
TWO Beitbridge men who robbed, raped and murdered a woman on her way to a church service have each been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Bulawayo.
Quinton Sibanda (18) and Kamuelo Moyo (20), both of Dombolidenje Village under Chief Sitaudze in Beitbridge, were convicted of murder following a brutal attack that shocked the community.
In a statement, Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said the pair ambushed the woman as she was going to a church service.
“The accused persons robbed the victim of her cellphone before taking turns to rape her,” said Det Insp Muteweri.
“In an attempt to conceal the offence, they strangled her and repeatedly stabbed her all over the body with an Okapi knife, resulting in her death.”
After killing the victim, the two dragged her body about 15 metres from the footpath and concealed it before fleeing from the scene.
The pair were arrested on May 9, 2025, and subsequently stood trial before the Bulawayo High Court.
On June 3, 2026, Justice Naison Chivhayo convicted and sentenced both men to life imprisonment.
Ms Ellen Kanengoni represented the State.
In a separate case, the Bulawayo High Court sentenced Method Zhou (29) of Chief Mudavanhu, Mberengwa, to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife following a domestic dispute linked to allegations of infidelity.
Justice Chivhayo presided over the matter, while Ms Caroline Mabhena represented the State.
The murder occurred in December 2024, but the crime only came to light on January 18, 2025, when relatives reported the woman missing after repeated attempts to contact her failed.
Investigations led to Zhou’s arrest in Mberengwa on January 25, 2025. Upon arrest, he confessed to killing his wife and led detectives to a bushy area along the Mjeni River where her remains were recovered.
In another murder case, the Bulawayo High Court sentenced Simbarashe Zvenyika (41) of Muhlasi Village under Chief Nyangazonke in Kezi to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man following a long-running dispute centred on allegations of infidelity.
Justice Ngoni Nduna presided over the trial, with the State represented by Mr Khumbulani Nyoni.
After committing the offence, Zvenyika fled and went into hiding in the Manoti area of Gokwe. Police investigations eventually tracked him down, leading to his arrest in 2024 and subsequent conviction.
Commenting on the convictions, Det Insp Muteweri commended the courts for imposing stiff penalties on violent offenders.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the courts for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime and ensuring that justice prevails,” she said.
She urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid resorting to violence.
