Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
A 17-year-old former pupil of Milton High School narrowly escaped a prison sentence when he appeared at the Bulawayo High Court last Thursday for stabbing to death another 17-year-old boy in Magwegwe North suburb.
Doing Form Three at the time of the incident, the boy was initially charged with murder for stabbing the victim but the charge was later reduced to culpable homicide.
Prosecutor Mr Khumbulani Nyoni presented the State case, detailing that on 20 September 2023 at about 6.30pm the now deceased was at Tarima Supermarket with friends (names withheld).
One friend went into the shop, while others waited outside. Shortly after, the Milton boy arrived with his group of friends and mingled near the now deceased.
An altercation began when one of the now deceased’s friends informed him (the now deceased) that the Milton pupil had previously assaulted him at a nearby bridge.
The now deceased confronted the Milton boy and slapped him twice.
After being slapped he tried to evade further aggression with the now deceased advancing towards him.
It was at that point that the Milton boy pulled out an Okapi knife and stabbed him in the right side of the chest.
The victim fell face down, and despite the prompt arrival of an ambulance, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Milton boy was subsequently arrested.
Submissions were made in court with the Milton boy’s defence counsel raising the argument that he acted in self-defence as the victim was showing no signs of stopping his aggression.
His lawyer also submitted that his client was still young with a life ahead of him adding that a custodial sentence was not going to serve a good purpose but would haunt him and turn him into a worse criminal.
During sentencing, Justice Evangelista Kabasa expressed concern over the alarming trend of drug abuse among juveniles. She referenced a probation report detailing the boy’s difficult upbringing, having grown up without a father due to his parents’ separation.
The report also highlighted the boy’s struggles with substance abuse and his tendency towards bullying.
“You were likely under the influence of drugs, which is a significant issue in our society,” said Justice Kabasa.
“Instead of allowing jealousy of your peers’ financial stability to lead you to bullying behaviour, you should seek inspiration to better your own circumstances.”
The judge criticized the disrespectful behaviour exhibited by some youth today, contrasting it with her own upbringing when pupils carried books and pens instead of weapons.
She remarked, “It’s concerning to witness a generation that is perceived as increasingly unruly, leading some to label parents as failures.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, Justice Kabasa acknowledged the remorse displayed by the boy and considered the psychological toll of his actions.
“You have undergone your own sort of punishment,” she stated, recognizing that even a single day of incarceration can feel like an eternity.
In light of the boy’s youthfulness and potential for rehabilitation, Justice Kabasa imposed a sentence of three years and six months, wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the future. The probation officer will continue to oversee his progress.
Before the sentencing, the grandfather of the deceased spoke about the loss of his grandson, emphasizing that he was a promising young man expected to sit for his Ordinary level examinations this year. — @nyeve14
Online Reporter