Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A TENGWE man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for fatally stabbing his friend following an altercation over a woman he claimed was his ex-wife.
Isau Gakata, of Manhenga Village, Chief Mujinga in Tengwe, appeared before Chinhoyi High Court Judge, Justice Philda Muzofa, facing a murder charge.
The court heard that Gakata was 34 when he committed the offence while the deceased, Gift Chikwari, was 32.
Prosecutor, Review Nikisi, told the court that on September 11, 2025, at around 5pm, Gakata, Chikwari and other patrons were drinking beer at Dees Bar at Uroyi Business Centre in Tengwe.
The court heard that Gakata approached Karen Josiah, a bar attendant, and they
started a conversation.
Gakata claimed that Karen was his ex-wife and that they should reconcile.
Karen rejected Gakata’s move.
Gakata grabbed Karen’s hand and she wrestled with him and freed herself.
Gakata threatened Karen with death.
This did not go down well with the late Chikwari who reprimanded Gakata.
Irked by the intervention, Gakata opened his satchel and retrieved a homemade knife.
He stabbed Chikwari once on the chest.
Mathew Masinge