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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) ranger who accidentally discharged his service rifle resulting in the stray bullets hitting a Jambezi villager and killing him instantly, has been sentenced to 11 years in jail. Trevor Sibanda, 33, of Sialawindi village in Dete and stationed at Matetsi Camp in Victoria Falls, was cleaning an AK47 rifle when he accidentally pulled the trigger releasing two bullets that razed through the abdomen and right leg of Simbarashe Ncube, 32.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Andrew Mutema sitting in a circuit in Hwange last week convicted Sibanda of culpable homicide.
Sibanda, who was initially facing a murder charge, will serve an effective eight years in jail after three years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.
Sibanda through his lawyer, Tonderai Mukuku of Marondedze, Mukuku and Partners had submitted that the murder was not intentional and tendered a limited plea of guilty to culpable homicide. He argued that he negligently caused the death of Ncube.
The accidental shooting took place in full view of two police officers at 4X4 tuck-shop in Matetsi where a group of people including Sibanda and Ncube were sitting in front of the shop.
Prosecuting, Namatirai Ngwasha, said on January 5, 2015, Sibanda arrived at 4X4 tuck-shop in the company of Gideon Gore and Raymond Muzekezeke both police officers from an anti-poaching operation.
Sibanda was armed with an AK47 rifle while the two police officers had FN rifles. The court heard that Sibanda sat under a tree where other patrons among them Ncube were seated drinking beer.
Ncube told Sibanda that he felt uncomfortable as he sensed danger from the rifle whose nozzle was pointing at his direction. Sibanda in response assured Ncube that there was nothing to fear as everything was under control.
“Sibanda, who was cleaning the rifle, slightly raised his rifle, removed the magazine and accidentally squeezed the trigger resulting in him shooting Ncube in the abdomen and right leg and he died on the spot,” said Ngwasha.
Online Reporter