Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
TWO men, who raped and murdered a woman on her way to attend a church service, have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Quinton Sibanda (18) and Kamuelo Moyo (20) of Dombolidenje Village, under Chief Sitaudze in Beitbridge, were convicted for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment last week. In a statement, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, CID spokesperson, said the two connived and attacked the victim while she was travelling to church.
“They robbed her of a cellphone before taking turns to rape her.
“In an attempt to conceal the offence, they strangled the victim and stabbed her several times all over the body using an Okapi knife, resulting in her death,” said Det- Insp Muteweri.
She added that after the murder, the duo dragged the body and concealed it about 15 metres from the footpath before fleeing. “They were later arrested and brought before the courts, where they appeared before Justice Naison Chivhayo at the Bulawayo High Court. The State was represented by Ellen Kanengoni.
“They were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment,” Det-Insp Muteweri said.
Meanwhile, Method Zhou (29) of Chief Mudavanhu, Mberengwa, was convicted on May 27 and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder by the Bulawayo High Court.
Justice Naison Chivhayo presided over the matter, while the State was represented by Caroline Mabhena.
The conviction follows a murder in December 2024.
The accused and the victim had a misunderstanding over allegations of infidelity.
Det-Insp Muteweri said the offence came to light on January 18, last year, after an informant visited the victim when efforts to contact her proved unsuccessful.
A missing person report was subsequently filed.
“Investigations were instituted, leading to the arrest of the accused person on January 25, 2025 in Mberengwa.
“Upon arrest, the accused admitted to killing his wife before leading the detectives to a bushy area along the Mjeni River, where the deceased’s remains were recovered,” she said.
In another case, Simbarashe Zvenyika (41) of Muhlasi Village under Chief Nyangazonke in Kezi, was on May 28 convicted and sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment for murder by the Bulawayo High Court.
Justice Ngoni Nduna presided, while the State was represented by Khumbulani Nyoni.
Det-Insp Muteweri said the accused had a long-standing dispute with the victim over infidelity allegations.
She added that he stabbed the victim with a knife before fleeing and going into hiding in the Manoti area of Gokwe.
Investigations and follow-ups eventually led to his arrest, culminating in his conviction and sentencing.
