Prophet fatally stabs a soldier

A 28-YEAR-OLD man who claimed to be a prophet at an apostolic church was yesterday jailed 15 years for fatally stabbing a soldier who attempted to stop him from running away following a scuffle at a shopping centre in Redcliff.

Ackim Chirwa stabbed Esdom Mukazi, aged 25 at the time of his death, on the left side of his chest in December 2011.

Mukazi succumbed to the injury the following day.

In passing sentence, High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese said Chirwa had used excessive force in stabbing Mukazi though the deceased was merely trying to stop him from running away.

Justice Makonese said Chirwa's behaviour was not consistent with that of a prophet before ruling that a deterrent sentence of 15 years was proper in the circumstances.

The court heard that that on the December 13 2011 and at around 1730 hours, Chirwa and Mukazi were among patrons drinking beer at Bonaccord Farm shopping centre in Redcliff.

Chirwa had a misunderstanding with one Johnson Dhliwayo after the latter had said prophets did not stay long with their wives. Dhliwayo had also broken Chirwa's spectacles in the process.

When outside the shops Dhliwayo slapped Chirwa three times on the face but the latter retaliated and hit him with an iron bar on the left hand before attempting to run away.

Mukazi, who was coming from the direction Chirwa was running to, grabbed him (Chirwa) from behind with both hands.

Chirwa produced an Okapi knife and stabbed Mukazi on the left side of the chest before fleeing from the scene. Mukazi died the following day at Kwekwe General Hospital.