Abattoir worker grinds colleague to death in stock feed mixing machine

A man employed at a cattle slaughterhouse was crushed to death by a stock feed mixing machine when a colleague started the engine while he was inside cleaning.

Bongani Ncube (25) who was residing at Mbokodo Abattoir Compound died instantly from multiple avulsions, according to the postmortem report presented in court.

This was after he was trapped by the machine. Two other workers who were cleaning with Ncube cheated death by a whisker when they jumped out of the machine as the reins started moving.

Regional magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mthombeni, now stationed in Harare, was told how on 17 December last year at about 7am - Judah Murwira negligently caused the death of Ncube when he started a tractor-driven machine without checking inside.

Murwira (36), of 67052/8 Sizinda Flats was yesterday convicted of culpable homicide by Mrs Mthombeni.

He had initially pleaded guilty but the plea was altered to not guilty when he told the court that he did not check inside the machine because his employer had told him that the machine was only cleaned on weekends.

The date, 17 December was on a Monday. Murwira was sentenced to six years but will be in jail for four years after four years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

In his defence Murwira said he immediately switched off the machine when he heard somebody screaming. He said he was not an expert in operating the machine as he had not been trained on how to use it despite being a mechanic. However, the magistrate said he acted negligently by failing to physically check for any life in the machine before starting it.

She said Murwira had been employed for nearly two years and could have acquainted himself with the machine.

"The court considered that you are a first offender and you have not been paid your salary since the incident occurred. However, in aggravation you showed no contrition and the fact that two more people were nearly trapped and only survived by jumping out further aggravates the offence," said the magistrate before sentencing him.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Dzipe narrated how Mr Onias Mpume, a fellow worker jumped out of the machine when the machine engine was switched on. Ncube had already died when Murwira stopped the engine and his body was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for postmortem.