Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara [email protected]
TWO artisanal miners from Bulawayo have been sentenced to a combined 50 years in jail for murdering a fellow miner accusing him of harbouring a rival illegal mining gang.
Promise Ndebele (20) and Xolani Moyo (27) both from Mazwi Village, St Peters, was convicted of murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice
Ngoni Nduna for killing Josphat Sibanda (56).
In passing the sentence, the Judge sentenced the duo to 25 years each in prison.
The State, represented by chief public prosecutor Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza told the court that on October 18, 2024 at around 1AM, the accused persons went to the deceased’s shack.
Moyo, the second accused person kicked open the door to the deceased’s shack alleging that his shack was a hide out for the rival gang members in their illegal mining activities.
“As the deceased tried to escape, the second accused person hit him once on the centre of the head using a rasp/wood file, which was tugged on his belt underneath his shirt and he fell on the ground.
“As the deceased tried to stand up, Ndebele the first accused person then stabbed the deceased once on the left side of the back using a knife,” said Mr Jaravaza.
The attack took place in the eyes of Oscar Mlauzi and Alex Ndlovu who were in the company of the accused persons when they were coming from a birthday party.
In fear, the two witnesses ran away from the scene leaving the two accused persons behind.
“The first accused followed them and caught up with them leaving behind the second accused and he then advised to all to leave the area and proceed to St Peters,” said Mr Jaravaza.
The court heard that after the attack, the deceased managed to escape into the nearby bushy area and his body was discovered on the 19th, following day at around 5PM.
“On October 19 at around 5PM, the two witnesses got information that the deceased had passed on, they then decided to go report to the police on what they knew in connection with the matter leading to the arrest of the accused persons,” said Mr Jaravaza.
The court heard that the body of the deceased was then taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals Mortuary for post mortem.
