Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Writer
A 28-year-old Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer has been sentenced to five years in prison after attacking a patron with an axe for refusing to buy him beer.
Trust Mnkandla, who resides at Khami Prison Complex, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, but was convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere, based on overwhelming evidence.
He will serve an effective three-year sentence, with two years suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
In passing sentence, Mr Manwere strongly condemned Mnkandla’s conduct, stating that a custodial sentence was necessary for his rehabilitation.
Prosecutor, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that the incident occurred on June 4.
“On that date, at around 9:30PM, the complainant, Innocent Sibanda, was drinking beer with his friend at Khami Prison Canteen Bar when they were joined by Mnkandla. The accused asked where the two patrons came from, and they told him they were from a nearby farm, Bonisa,” she said.
The court heard that Mnkandla then demanded Sibanda and his friend buy him beer since they were not ZPCS staff members. When they refused and later stood up to dance, ignoring him, he continued pestering them.
Agitated, Mnkandla lured Sibanda outside under the pretext of going to the toilet.
“While on their way, in the corridor, Mnkandla produced a small hand axe from the left side of his trousers and struck Sibanda twice — once on the left side of the head and once on the forehead,” said Ms Manyika.
Sibanda collapsed after sustaining deep cuts. He was rushed to Khami ZPCS Clinic and later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he was admitted. A police report was filed, leading to Mnkandla’s arrest.
Bongani Ndlovu