Vic Falls man kills team mate with pool stick

A local Victoria Falls man appeared before the Victoria Falls Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with murder after allegedly striking his snooker teammate on the head with a wooden pool stick, an assault that led to the victim’s death days later.

Derick Phiri (29) appeared before Magistrate Ms Fadzai Dzimiri, who remanded him in custody to 19 April 2026.
The court heard that on March 29, at around 6 PM, the now deceased, Meluleki Sibanda (34), and Phiri were watching a game of pool at Mkhosana Shopping Centre when a misunderstanding arose between the two.

Prosecuting, Ms Daphne Ntini told the court that during the dispute, the accused picked up a pool stick and struck Sibanda once on the head.

The matter was reported at Victoria Falls Police Station, and officers attended the scene, leading to Phiri’s arrest.
The injured Sibanda was referred to Victoria Falls Hospital, where he was admitted and received treatment.
According to court papers, the victim’s condition worsened on April 3, and he was transferred to Bulawayo for further medical care. However, along the way to Bulawayo, Sibanda passed on.

Phiri has been charged with murder as defined in Section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23.

Ms Ntini submitted that the State’s evidence linking the accused to the offence includes Phiri’s own admission to the allegations.

Additionally, witnesses who saw the accused assaulting the deceased before his death have come forward. Family members of the deceased, who gathered at the courthouse, appeared visibly distraught.

They declined to speak, saying they were still coming to terms with the sudden loss.
Sibanda, described by acquaintances as a passionate snooker player and a regular at Mkhosana Shopping Centre, leaves behind a young family.

Fellow Mkhosana residents told Chronicle that the two men were known to be teammates and often played together at the Tipotipo pool tables area in Mkhosana shopping centre.

“It is heartbreaking. They were friends one moment, and now one is dead and the other is in custody over a game,” said a resident who asked not to be named.