Two sentenced to death for killing their relative

Two Binga men who last year killed their relative by striking him with axes have been sentenced to death.

Njabulo Tshuma (28) and Vusa Mugobo Ndlovu (24) were on Tuesday convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court  judge Justice Maphios Cheda at the High Court Circuit. With Messrs Tholani Elias Ndlovu and Felix Simon Dube agreeing assessors, Justice Cheda said although the two said they acted in self defence, there were no extenuating circumstances in the case.

Justice Cheda said it was clear that Tshuma and Ndlovu wanted revenge on Timothy Mugobo. Mugobo was Ndlovu's blood brother and Thsuma's uncle. Justice Cheda said in aggravation, Tshuma and Ndlovu attacked Mugobo while he was lying on the ground and there was no sign that the two were provoked or were drunk when they committed the offence.

Tshuma and Ndlovu, both of Chisale Village in Lusulu, Binga,m killed Mugobo (34) after his release from prison where he had served two years for burning down their huts in a family dispute. Tshuma was being represented pro deo by Mr Tonderai Mukuku, of Marondedze, Mukuku, Ndove and Partners while Mr Thulani Nkala, of Dube and Company in Victoria Falls represented Ndlovu.

In defence, Tshuma and Ndlovu, while admitting to killing Mugobo, had said the latter attacked them with a catapultand they used axes to defend themselves.

Circumstances are that Mugobo went to prison for two years after torching two huts at Ndlovu's homestead.

"Vusa was sleeping in one of the huts with his wife, while Njabulo was sleeping in another with relatives. We suspect that family elders knew about plans for the murder because family members were rejoicing at the funeral wake. Everyone seemed happy and they did not seem to miss Mugobo," said a  villager on condition of anonymity.

"Mugobo had been released from Binga prison where he was serving a sentence for malicious damage to property (MDP). He got home and went to his late father's homestead where the family had gathered for a traditional ceremony called umbuyiso," said Asst Insp Makonese, the police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Province.

She said Mugobo stayed for about 50 minutes before proceeding to his homestead.

"The two accused persons allegedly followed him and attacked him on the way. One of the accused is the deceased's brother, while the other is his nephew," she said.

Asst Insp Makonese said the pair chopped off part of Mugobo's right cheek, slashed through his right eye and lower jaw and also left a deep gash on the right side of the head.

"Mugobo sustained very deep cuts because the assailants axed him with such force that the axe would get embedded in his head. They would then pull it out and stick it into another part of his face," said the police spokesperson.