Filabusi makorokoza jailed for attempted murder

A 22-year-old gold panner, Proud Mathe, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder following a vicious axe attack on a fellow villager. The attack left the victim, Bongani Mpofu, with severe head and eye injuries.

Mathe appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Lungile Ncube, who handed down the sentence. Prosecutor Jethro Mada told the court that Mathe and Mpofu, both 22, are from the same village under Chief Jahana but are not related. The incident occurred on 30 March 2025 at around 9 PM at Claremont 26 Mine, where both men were engaged in gold panning.

Mpofu was asleep in his room when Mathe reportedly stormed in wielding an axe. "The accused person struck the complainant once on the head and upper part of the left eye with an axe," Mada stated. The blow caused a deep wound on Mpofu's head and serious injury to his eye, but he survived the attack.

A police report was filed, leading to Mathe's arrest. Mpofu received medical attention at a hospital, and a medical report detailing his injuries was presented in court during the proceedings.