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Thulani Ndlovu
A BULAWAYO man, who killed his drunk cousin for shouting at him and his wife for having served him isitshwala and amacimbi (mopani worms) instead of meat, has been sentenced to two years in prison for culpable homicide.
On Tuesday last week, the High Court acquitted Thembani Sibanda (27), who resides at House Number 56896/2 Old Lobengula, of murder but still found him guilty of the negligent killing of his cousin, Mthokozisi Mbano, who was 24 at the time of his death.
According to the State outline, Mbano shouted at Sibanda’s wife, Dorris Mpofu, and ejected her from the house for serving him isitshwala with amacimbi. Mpofu was then found by Sibanda sitting outside the residential gate.
State prosecutor Ms Sifiso Ndlovu-Sibanda told the court how Sibanda had assaulted Mbano with an open hand on the cheek, the fight degenerating into a full-fledged fistfight.
“The two exchanged blows in a fistfight and the accused pushed the deceased who hit his head against a window pane, breaking it in the process,” said Ms Ndlovu-Sibanda.
“Due to the accused’s actions, Mbano was found dead at White City Park near White City Stadium B Arena the following morning.”
Giving evidence to the court, Mpofu said Mbano was moderately drunk when he arrived. He queried why he was served isitshwala and amacimbi.
“The deceased got home about 6.30pm and I was already in bed. I woke up to give him food and he threatened to beat me and my husband up for giving him isitshwala and amacimbi,” said Mpofu.
“To escape the assault, I went outside and sat at the gate until about 8.15pm when my husband arrived home. I related to him what had transpired. He confronted Mbano and an argument ensued. My husband slapped Mbano once on the cheek and in retaliation Mbano hit my husband with a stick on the forehead resulting in him bleeding profusely. The two started wrestling for the stick and in the process my husband pushed Mbano and he hit his forehead against a window pane.”
Another witness, a neighbour, Mr Doubt Moyo, said he heard Sibanda and Mbano arguing and rushed to
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