By Nomusa Sibanda
A 30-year-old Lupane man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of the brutal murder of his 77-year-old grandfather, whom he fatally assaulted using a knobkerrie and a metal plough handle.
Obey Ncube, of Manasa Village under Chief Mabhikwa in Matabeleland North, was convicted by the Bulawayo High Court, where Justice Evangelista Kabasa handed down the sentence following his appearance from the Hwange Magistrates Court.
The court heard that on June 27, Ncube and his grandfather, Gibson Sibanda, a respected traditional healer, left home together at around 7am. Sibanda returned to the homestead at approximately 2pm and retired to his bedroom hut.
Moments later, Ncube followed, armed with a knobkerrie, and launched a vicious attack on the elderly man. He repeatedly struck Sibanda all over the body using both the knobkerrie and a metal handle from an ox-drawn plough.
Despite desperate attempts by family members to intervene, the assault continued unabated. Witnesses, including Esnati Mutsvara and Simangaliso Ncube, rushed to the hut after hearing Sibanda’s cries for help, only to find the accused relentlessly attacking him.
Efforts to restrain Ncube proved futile as he ignored pleas to stop. He later dragged the severely injured Sibanda out of the hut, ordering him to leave the homestead while still clutching his belongings.
The following morning, Sibanda was found unconscious by the roadside by Siphilisiswe Dube, who alerted the village head. A member of the police constabulary, Almon Ncube, was subsequently informed.
In a disturbing turn, the accused later transported his injured grandfather, along with his belongings, to St Paul’s Mission Hospital for treatment before returning home on June 29, claiming he had left him there.
However, tragedy unfolded days later. On July 2, Sibanda’s lifeless body was discovered under a bridge by schoolchildren from Malunku Primary School. The children alerted Rebbace Ngwenya, who found the body covered with blankets.
Police were notified and attended the scene, leading to Ncube’s arrest in August 2025.
The gruesome killing has sent shockwaves through the Lupane community, with residents expressing outrage and sorrow over the senseless loss of a respected elder at the hands of his own grandson.
