Man reflects on 25 years behind bars for the death of his son

July 1 holds a deep personal significance for Mhlupheki Ngwenya, a 52-year-old man serving a life sentence at Khami Maximum Prison, as it marks not only the day of national mourning for the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, but also a painful reminder of the domestic violence incident that led to the death of his five-year-old son.

For Ngwenya, the tragic incident on July 1, 1999, forever altered the course of his life. A misunderstanding with his wife spiraled out of control, leading to the accidental death of his son, an event that would result in Ngwenya's conviction and a death sentence handed down by the Bulawayo High Court in 2008.

In a heartfelt interview with Sunday News from Khami Maximum Prison, Ngwenya recounted how, at just 26 years old, a heated argument with his wife led to an unimaginable tragedy.

"I committed the offence of murder on July 1, 1999, the day on which the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo died. What happened is that I had a misunderstanding with my wife. My wife, in the process, used our son as a shield, which resulted in him severely hitting the wall where he got injured and passed on," Ngwenya explained.

After the incident, Ngwenya's wife reported that he had beaten their son, and he was arrested. He was subsequently remanded in custody at Khami Maximum Prison for nine years as his trial was delayed due to various challenges within the judicial system.

"My case dragged on until April 9, 2008, when I was convicted and sentenced to death," Ngwenya said. "During the same year, I was transferred to Harare Central Prison, where inmates on death row are held. I appealed the sentence at the Supreme Court, and in 2017, my death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment."

After spending years in remand and on death row, Ngwenya was transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Prison and later to Khami Maximum Prison in 2019, bringing him closer to his relatives. Despite his lengthy incarceration, Ngwenya remains hopeful that he will eventually be released through an amnesty.

He shared how the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has provided him with opportunities for education and rehabilitation during his time in prison.

"I have since engaged in studies, and I was supposed to sit for my Ordinary Level examinations, but I could not because I didn't have a National ID," he explained. "Fortunately, the Officer in Charge of Khami Maximum Prison helped me obtain my ID, and I am hoping to sit for my exams next year."

Ngwenya expressed his gratitude for the rehabilitation programs that have allowed him to gain an education and a sense of purpose during his years in prison. While he regrets not benefiting from these opportunities earlier due to his extended time on remand and death row, he remains optimistic about his future.

"I am happy that I will go out with something I would have achieved in my life," he said. "It's unfortunate that I benefited from these programs a bit late, but I am grateful nonetheless."

Despite his personal growth, Ngwenya is still deeply saddened by the tragedy that led him to prison. At times, he struggles with depression as he reflects on the events that changed his life forever.

"The incident that led me to prison still hurts. When I think about it, I get depressed," he admitted.

Ngwenya's story is one of profound loss and regret, but also one of resilience and hope for a brighter future. His experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of personal responsibility, the potential for redemption, and the deep emotional toll that violent incidents can leave on those involved.

As he continues his journey in prison, Ngwenya remains focused on rebuilding his life, both for himself and for the family he lost. He hopes that his story can inspire others to avoid similar mistakes and to seek positive pathways out of difficult situations.