News / National
Killer arrested in Kadoma after New Year horror
26 May 2025 at 08:27hrs | Views
What began as an ordinary night at Ruzviya Bar in Zhombe turned into a harrowing tragedy when a young man was fatally stabbed during a game of snooker - an act that will now see the assailant spend 20 years behind bars.
Tichaona Sibanda (23) was convicted and sentenced at the Gweru High Court Circuit for the cold-blooded murder of Lloyd Zhakata (21), whom he stabbed in the chest with a homemade knife in the early hours of 30 December 2024 at Zibhawabhawa Business Centre.
According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Zhakata was watching a game of snooker inside the bar when Sibanda suddenly attacked him without provocation.
"Without warning, Sibanda pulled out a homemade knife and stabbed Zhakata once in the chest before fleeing with his brother into the night," the NPAZ said.
Witnesses say the stabbing sent shockwaves through the packed bar, known for its rowdy crowd but not for such extreme violence. Zhakata staggered out of the venue but collapsed approximately 130 metres away, where his lifeless body was found in a pool of blood near a nearby homestead.
After a five-day manhunt, police tracked Sibanda to Kadoma, where he was arrested. The 11.5-centimetre blade used in the stabbing - crudely fashioned at home - was recovered and later presented in court, playing a crucial role in the conviction.
Locals described Sibanda as a "quiet but unpredictable" figure who occasionally kept to himself, but no one expected him to unleash such violence. The murder has rattled the close-knit community, with many saying the bar, already notorious for fights, will forever be remembered for the grisly act that closed out 2024.
The court, citing the brutality of the attack and the lack of remorse, imposed a 20-year sentence, warning that such violent acts would be met with firm justice.
Zhakata's family, still reeling from the loss, said they were relieved to see justice served but mourned the "senseless and avoidable" nature of the killing.
Ruzviya Bar now faces renewed scrutiny from community leaders and law enforcement, with calls growing louder for better security measures and early closing hours to prevent further bloodshed.
Tichaona Sibanda (23) was convicted and sentenced at the Gweru High Court Circuit for the cold-blooded murder of Lloyd Zhakata (21), whom he stabbed in the chest with a homemade knife in the early hours of 30 December 2024 at Zibhawabhawa Business Centre.
According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Zhakata was watching a game of snooker inside the bar when Sibanda suddenly attacked him without provocation.
"Without warning, Sibanda pulled out a homemade knife and stabbed Zhakata once in the chest before fleeing with his brother into the night," the NPAZ said.
Witnesses say the stabbing sent shockwaves through the packed bar, known for its rowdy crowd but not for such extreme violence. Zhakata staggered out of the venue but collapsed approximately 130 metres away, where his lifeless body was found in a pool of blood near a nearby homestead.
After a five-day manhunt, police tracked Sibanda to Kadoma, where he was arrested. The 11.5-centimetre blade used in the stabbing - crudely fashioned at home - was recovered and later presented in court, playing a crucial role in the conviction.
Locals described Sibanda as a "quiet but unpredictable" figure who occasionally kept to himself, but no one expected him to unleash such violence. The murder has rattled the close-knit community, with many saying the bar, already notorious for fights, will forever be remembered for the grisly act that closed out 2024.
The court, citing the brutality of the attack and the lack of remorse, imposed a 20-year sentence, warning that such violent acts would be met with firm justice.
Zhakata's family, still reeling from the loss, said they were relieved to see justice served but mourned the "senseless and avoidable" nature of the killing.
Ruzviya Bar now faces renewed scrutiny from community leaders and law enforcement, with calls growing louder for better security measures and early closing hours to prevent further bloodshed.
Source - B-Metro
