Mum killer committed to mental hospital

Senior Court Reporter
A MENTALLY ill Beitbridge man, who stoned his mother to death after she refused to cook dinner, has been committed to a mental hospital after a judge ruled he had not been in control of his mind at the time of the crime.
Justice Lawrence Kamocha ruled last week that Thambulo Sibanda’s violent nature was because he suffered from chronic psychotic disorder, a mental illness.

Thambulo Sibanda, 39, of Zezani village, a former patient at Ingutsheni Hospital, was facing charges of murdering his mother, Takalani Ndou, 56, two years ago.

“From the evidence in court, we are satisfied that Sibanda caused the death of Ndou. However, basing on the psychiatrist’s findings, the court has concluded that Sibanda was at the time of committing the crime, suffering from mental illness and he should therefore not be held legally responsible for the crime.

“In terms of section 25 of the Mental Health Act, Sibanda is found not guilty due to insanity and accordingly should be returned to Mlondolozi Prison for further transfer to an institution for care and treatment as he is dangerous to society,” ruled Justice Kamocha.

Prosecuting, Nokuthabo Ngwenya, said on November 2, 2012 shortly after 11PM, Sibanda went to his mother’s homestead and found her alone.
“Sibanda demanded isitshwala from his mother and when she told him that they had finished eating supper, he ordered the woman to cook for him.
“Ndou refused to cook and Sibanda got angry. He then stoned his mother to death,” said Ngwenya.

Ndou sustained a depressed skull fracture following the attack. The court heard that soon after committing the crime, Sibanda fled to his homestead leaving his mother lying in a pool of blood.

Ndou’s body was discovered a few hours later by her niece, Annah Chinyengetere and she informed members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee who apprehended Sibanda and took him to the police station.

Ndou’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a postmortem.
In his defence through his lawyer, Russel Dzete, Sibanda argued that when he committed the crime he was not in control of his mental faculty.
“My client suffered from a mental ailment when he committed the crime and a report by a psychiatrist from Ingutsheni Hospital also confirmed that he was a mental patient.

“On the day he committed the crime, he had run out of medication,” he said.