Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
CONSUMED by anger, a man from Bubi District, in Matabeleland North Province, stabbed his brother-in-law to death after accusing him of having an affair with his wife at his in-law’s home.
Juda Sibanda visited his girlfriend, Priviledge Sibanda, in Insuza in December last year. Upon his arrival, he found his brother-in-law, Mkhululi Dlamini, sleeping in the kitchen with his girlfriend’s younger sister, Sibongiseni Sibanda, though they were using separate blankets.
Juda knocked on the door, and Dlamini, upon hearing the knock, opened it and questioned Juda’s purpose. An argument ensued between Dlamini and Juda.
Dlamini then chased after Juda, intending to attack him, but Juda outpaced him.
Later, around midnight, Juda returned and went to the kitchen hut where Dlamini was sleeping, kicking the door until it broke open. Dlamini woke up and confronted Juda, while Sibongiseni remained asleep.
Several hours later, Juda knocked on Sibongiseni’s door until she woke up, and he told her that he had stabbed Dlamini to death.
She then informed her family members, and Juda led them to Dlamini’s lifeless body, which lay in a pool of blood.
Neighbours were called to the scene, and they took Juda to the police station, leading to his arrest.
Juda appeared before High Court Judge Nokuthula Moyo, sitting at the Hwange High Court circuit.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Through his lawyer, Anna Kunda, he stated that he was 22 years old at the time of the alleged incident and that the deceased was married to his girlfriend’s sister.
He told the court that on the day in question, he visited his girlfriend, Priviledge, and they spoke for a while. He said that during their conversation, he learned that his girlfriend was unwell. He then left to get her medication and returned later.
In his defence, he further stated that while handing the medication to his girlfriend, the deceased emerged from the kitchen hut and accused him of having an affair with his wife. He said that the deceased then slapped him, and he ran away.
The deceased pursued him, caught up with him, and struck him with a log. Juda claimed that in self-defence, he took his okapi knife from his jacket pocket and stabbed him.
The judge noted that Juda’s defence was believable and that he acted in self-defence. The charge was reduced to culpable homicide.
The judge sentenced him to five years in prison, suspending three years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offense within five years. He will serve two years.
