Two artisanal miners from Bulawayo have each been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of murdering a fellow miner whom they accused of sheltering members of a rival illegal mining gang.
Promise Ndebele (20) and Xolani Moyo (27), both from Mazwi Village in St Peters, were found guilty of murder by the Bulawayo High Court.
Justice Ngoni Nduna sentenced the pair to a combined 50 years behind bars for the killing of 56-year-old Josphat Sibanda.
The court heard that the fatal attack occurred during the early hours of October 18, 2024.
According to chief public prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza, the two accused men went to Sibanda’s shack at around 1AM after accusing him of harbouring rival gang members involved in illegal mining activities.
The prosecution said Moyo kicked open the door to the shack and confronted the victim.
As Sibanda attempted to flee, Moyo allegedly struck him on the head with a rasp, also known as a wood file, which he had tucked into his belt.
The blow knocked the victim to the ground.
The court heard that when Sibanda tried to get back up, Ndebele stabbed him once in the back with a knife.
The attack was witnessed by Oscar Mlauzi and Alex Ndlovu, who had been in the company of the accused after attending a birthday party.
Fearing for their own safety, the two witnesses fled the scene during the assault.
Prosecutors told the court that Ndebele later caught up with the pair and advised everyone to leave the area and return to St Peters, leaving Moyo behind at the scene.
Despite his injuries, Sibanda managed to escape into nearby bushland.
His body was discovered the following day at around 5PM.
After learning of his death, the two witnesses reported what they had seen to police, leading to the arrest of the accused men.
The deceased’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Following the trial, Justice Nduna found both men guilty of murder and imposed 25-year prison terms on each accused.
The case highlights the growing violence associated with illegal mining operations, where disputes between rival groups have increasingly resulted in serious assaults and loss of life.
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