GOKWE – A local man was sentenced to 33 years in prison after he was found guilty of stabbing another to death for failing to catch up with a dancer who had stabbed another dancer at Zumba Business Centre.

Gift Chibhangu of Matekenya Village, Chief Chireya in Gokwe North, was convicted of murder by the High Court circuit sitting in Gokwe recently.

Chibhangu and the now deceased were celebrating the new year on 1 January 2023, while dancing to music at Zumba Business Centre.

“One of the dancers stabbed a fellow dancer with a knife. The accused person and two others chased after the one who had stabbed the dancer.

“When they could not catch up with him, Chibhangu then accused the deceased of obstructing their pursuit,” said the National Prosecuting Authority.

There was a heated altercation and Chibhangu then stabbed the deceased on the chest and he died on the spot. He then wiped the blood-stained knife with his hair before fleeing the scene.

A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.

Meanwhile, another Gokwe man was jailed 25 years for killing another man with a beer bottle.

Bvunzai Sichilimba (25) of Village Denis, Simuchembo in Gokwe North appeared at the High Court facing murder charges.

On August 26, 2023, the now deceased and his wife were coming from drinking traditional beer when they met Sichilimba who was holding an empty beer bottle.

Sichilimba claimed that he and the deceased had an unresolved dispute. He grabbed the deceased, pushed him before striking him with the empty beer bottle on the head knocking him to the ground. He also punched and kicked him on the upper part of the body according to the NPA.

The deceased wife was also assaulted when she tried to stop Sichilimba from assaulting her husband.

The now deceased was taken to the hospital where he was treated and discharged. However, his condition continued to deteriorate as a result of the injuries that he had sustained. Unfortunately, he died at his homestead October 20, leading to Sichilimba arrest.

The NPA encouraged members of the public to desist from violence and resolve their disputes amicably or seek third part mediation.

New Ziana