News / Regional
Judge 'alarmed' by knife crimes in Matabeleland
12 Nov 2013 at 10:27hrs | Views
A BULAWAYO judge yesterday said he was "alarmed" by knife crime in Matabeleland North as he opened the Hwange High Court Circuit. Justice Martin Makonese said the use of specified weapons such as Okapi knives in the province called for stiffer penalties.
Justice Makonese spoke shortly before he sent Try Mpala (46) away for 10 years for the murder of 19-year-old Benson Khumalo during an alcohol-fuelled dispute.
The Hwange High Court Circuit covers the whole of Matabeleland North.
"The court must weigh the interest of society and loss of life. In this matter, a young person was killed, his life exterminated at 19 when he could maybe have led a bright future," the judge said.
"The use of knives in this province is alarming. People are stabbing each other with specified knives daily. People like you should be locked away. We're not a violent country and such disputes should be resolved amicably."
A total of 18 murder cases have been lined up during the third term of the Hwange Circuit and 10 of these either involved violence or weapons such as knives and knobkerries.
Justice Makonese said it was the court's duty to show abhorrence for knife crime by passing deterrent sentences.
Mpala stabbed Khumalo on their way from a beer drink. He was in the company of Vincent Moyo, who had culpable homicide charges withdrawn after plea.
Mr Whisper Mabhaudhi from the Attorney General's Office told the court that knife crime was out of hand in Matabeleland North.
"Courts are always dealing with cases of death emanating from violence and use of specified weapons, which is an offence on its own," he said.
"The accused should have acted as a father to the 19-year-old man he killed but he chose to carry a specified knife to a beer drink to attack him. There was no need to use a knife because there is no evidence that your life was in danger."
In mitigation Mpala who was represented pro-deo by Mr Tonderai Mukuku, said he had no intention of killing Khumalo.
The court was told how on 29 April this year at about 8.45pm, a misunderstanding ensued between Mpala and Khumalo on their way from a beer drink.
Mpala stabbed Khumalo with the Okapi knife once on the arm and fled.
Khumalo died a day later.
Khumalo's family has indicated to the police that it wants compensation of about $1 940 it used as funeral expenses from Mpala's family.
Justice Makonese spoke shortly before he sent Try Mpala (46) away for 10 years for the murder of 19-year-old Benson Khumalo during an alcohol-fuelled dispute.
The Hwange High Court Circuit covers the whole of Matabeleland North.
"The court must weigh the interest of society and loss of life. In this matter, a young person was killed, his life exterminated at 19 when he could maybe have led a bright future," the judge said.
"The use of knives in this province is alarming. People are stabbing each other with specified knives daily. People like you should be locked away. We're not a violent country and such disputes should be resolved amicably."
A total of 18 murder cases have been lined up during the third term of the Hwange Circuit and 10 of these either involved violence or weapons such as knives and knobkerries.
Justice Makonese said it was the court's duty to show abhorrence for knife crime by passing deterrent sentences.
Mpala stabbed Khumalo on their way from a beer drink. He was in the company of Vincent Moyo, who had culpable homicide charges withdrawn after plea.
"Courts are always dealing with cases of death emanating from violence and use of specified weapons, which is an offence on its own," he said.
"The accused should have acted as a father to the 19-year-old man he killed but he chose to carry a specified knife to a beer drink to attack him. There was no need to use a knife because there is no evidence that your life was in danger."
In mitigation Mpala who was represented pro-deo by Mr Tonderai Mukuku, said he had no intention of killing Khumalo.
The court was told how on 29 April this year at about 8.45pm, a misunderstanding ensued between Mpala and Khumalo on their way from a beer drink.
Mpala stabbed Khumalo with the Okapi knife once on the arm and fled.
Khumalo died a day later.
Khumalo's family has indicated to the police that it wants compensation of about $1 940 it used as funeral expenses from Mpala's family.
Source - chronicle
