Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
AN artisanal miner who, in a fit of rage, attacked his love rival with a pick, resulting in the man’s death, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The Bulawayo High Court was tense on Friday as Justice Ngoni Nduna handed down the lengthy custodial sentence to Nanzelela Ncube (33) of Hope Fountain, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, who was convicted of brutally assaulting his rival with a pick.
In delivering sentence, Justice Nduna described the attack as “brutal and unprovoked”, stressing that such acts of violence could not be tolerated in society.
“What he did is senseless because he had not legally married the widow, and as such he had no right to take the law into his own hands and attack the elderly man after hearing rumours that he was in love with his wife,” said Justice Nduna.
“His claim that he was acting in self-defence is dismissed because the witness told the court that the deceased did not retaliate.
“Society needs to be protected from people like you. I concur with the State that you deliberately committed the offence and the State proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. You will be jailed for 20 years.”
In mitigation, Ncube said: “I am a breadwinner. I have a wife and three children who entirely depend on me, and I look after my parents. I am very sorry to the family. I have spent 451 days in jail and this case has ruined my reputation in the community as I am now branded a murderer, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Tarisai Mutarisi submitted that the accused committed a serious offence which resulted in the needless loss of life.
“He failed to engage the deceased to solve the issue amicably but chose to attack him to death. The deceased was aged 61, which is a vulnerable age, and the accused failed to accord him respect but chose violence over a mere suspicion.
He used a weapon and severely attacked him on the head, causing serious injuries, which resulted in his death.
The State prays for a custodial sentence to show that it does not pay to engage in violence to solve disputes.”
The court heard that Ncube, consumed by anger after learning that the man was allegedly involved in a relationship with his ‘wife’ launched a violent attack that left the victim critically injured.
According to evidence presented in court, on April 10, last year, Ncube confronted his rival after rumours circulated that the man was romantically involved with his ‘wife.’
In a fit of rage, he picked up a pick and repeatedly struck the unsuspecting man on the head, inflicting severe injuries.
The elderly man was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
