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A TEENAGER from Lupane District will spend the rest of his life behind bars as he has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing an elderly man whom he accused of being a wizard. Melusi Sibanda (18) was convicted of murder with actual intent by High Court judge, Justice Andrew Mutema on circuit in Hwange.
Mr Felix Dube and Mrs Elizabeth Chazanga were the assessors.
Sibanda of Silwane Village killed King David Ncube by striking him with the handle of a hoe several times on the head.
The wooden handle broke into three pieces in the process.
The State counsel, Mr Whisper Mabhaudhi from the Attorney General’s Office, said on 9 December last year, Sibanda went to Ncube’s homestead and started shouting at him.
He accused Ncube of trying to kill him magically using lightning.
Ncube (59) picked a wooden hoe handle intending to defend himself.
Sibanda responded by grabbing an eight-year-old boy and carried him away saying it was better for him to die together with the boy.
The boy fought and freed himself and fled while Sibanda grabbed another juvenile and left the homestead.
Ncube, who was armed with the handle of a hoe, followed behind and ordered Sibanda to let go of the girl.
Sibanda then took away the hoe handle from Ncube and used it to strike him on the head.
Ncube sustained several deep cuts on the head and face. He died about four hours after the assault.
A report was made to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
In defence, Sibanda said he committed the offence because he wanted to fix Ncube who had threatened to kill him.
Online Reporter