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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A TEENAGER from Tsholotsho who knifed his neighbour to death during a fight has been sentenced to five years in jail.
Bhekisani Ncube, 19, of Gandisa Line was convicted of culpable homicide by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere during a circuit in Hwange on Tuesday.
Ncube will, however serve an effective three years in jail after two years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.
Ncube fatally stabbed Mehleli Moyo,19, once on the groin and fled from the scene.
In passing the sentence, Justice Bere expressed concern over an increase in violent crimes committed by youthful offenders.
The judge said Ncube’s youthfulness saved him from a lengthy prison term.
“When Ncube committed the crime he had barely graduated into adulthood. He was a youth who still required parental guidance. We are, however, concerned that Ncube walked around carrying a knife which he used to stab Moyo. He actually targeted the groin, which is a very sensitive part of the body,” said Justice Bere.
The judge said the courts had a duty to uphold the sanctity of human life.
“By the time you complete your jail term you would have matured,” Justice Bere told Ncube during sentencing.
Prosecuting, Namatirai Ngwasha, said on August 9 last year shortly after 6PM, Ncube and Moyo had a misunderstanding and started fighting when they were at Gandisa Business Centre in Tsholotsho.
“During the fight, Ncube pulled out a knife and stabbed Moyo once on the groin and ran away,” said Ngwasha.
Moyo screamed and bled to death without anyone attending to him. Ncube surrendered himself to the police the following day.
Online Reporter