Man sentenced to 17 years for fatal stabbing

A 33-year-old artisanal gold miner from Shurugwi has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for fatally stabbing a fellow imbiber during a dispute over a bottle of beer.

Nigel Ndomene, of Mataruse Village under Chief Ndanga in the Midlands Province, was convicted of murder by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Bongani Ndlovu, who was sitting on circuit in Gweru.

In delivering the verdict, Justice Ndlovu underscored the gravity of the offence and stressed the need for deterrent sentences to curb violent conduct.
"While the deceased may have provoked the dispute, the accused's response was unjustified," said the judge. "The sanctity of human life must always be respected."

According to the State, led by prosecutor Mr Michael Mhene, the fatal incident occurred on 29 February 2024 at around 6:10PM at Others Follow Bar in Msasa Business Centre, Shurugwi.

Ndomene and the victim, Philip Sithole (24), were drinking at the bar when Sithole allegedly grabbed a bottle of beer belonging to Ndomene, sparking a heated confrontation between the two artisanal miners.

The quarrel quickly escalated into a physical altercation. The men took the fight outside the bar, where Ndomene drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Sithole twice  -  once in the chest and once in the back.

Despite attempting to flee, Sithole collapsed about 15 metres from the scene, bleeding heavily. He was rushed to Shurugwi District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ndomene was apprehended by other patrons as he tried to escape and was handed over to police.

Justice Ndlovu's sentence sends a strong message against alcohol-fuelled violence, particularly in mining communities where such disputes are becoming increasingly common.