Zhombe teen jailed 23 years for nightclub murder

A 19-YEAR-OLD teenager from Zhombe, Midlands Province, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man who tried to stop him from interrupting a private conversation outside a nightclub.

Tinotenda Gwanzura of Bhoki Village was convicted of murdering Tafadzwa Moyo (31) outside Chibs Nightclub at Zhombe East Business Centre on November 5 last year.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, sitting on circuit in Gweru, convicted Gwanzura of murder on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The court heard that Gwanzura stabbed Moyo once in the chest with a flick knife after the now deceased had intervened and told him not to interrupt a discussion among friends outside the nightclub.

Moyo later died at Kwekwe District Hospital from the injuries sustained following the attack.

In passing sentence, Justice Mutevedzi said Gwanzura’s actions had needlessly cut short the life of a man who was merely trying to prevent conflict.

“The accused’s conduct resulted in the unnecessary loss of life. A custodial sentence is warranted to reflect the seriousness of the offence,” ruled Justice Mutevedzi.

Prosecuting, Mr Michael Mhene told the court that the fatal incident occurred at around 9PM on November 5, 2025.

The court heard that Moyo was in the company of Tichaona Makarichi, Joshua Makarichi and Last Hwende after disembarking from a vehicle driven by Joshua Makarichi.

Gwanzura emerged from the nightclub and approached the group while calling out to Hwende.

Moyo intervened and advised him to allow them to continue with their discussion.

“The accused person then produced a flick knife with a brown handle from his pocket and stabbed the deceased once below the left collarbone,” said Mr Mhene.

Moyo started bleeding profusely and his friends took him into the vehicle intending to rush him to hospital.

However, about two kilometres from the scene, the vehicle developed a mechanical fault, forcing Tichaona Makarichi to seek help at Zhombe Police Station.

Police attended the scene and ferried Moyo to Zhombe Mission Hospital before he was referred to Kwekwe District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Gwanzura was arrested the following day, leading to the recovery of the murder weapon.