Viol­ent domestic dis­pute costs son's life

A Tsholotsho man has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison after his infant son died following an incident of domestic violence.

Mhlalisi Sibanda, aged 22, was initially charged with murder over the death of his 19-month-old son, Pritchard Sibanda, but was convicted of culpable homicide after the court accepted a lesser charge.

The case was heard before Bulawayo High Court judge Evangelista Kabasa, sitting at Hwange Magistrates' Court.

The court found that the incident occurred on September 24, 2025, when Sibanda visited his estranged partner in Mthathawina Line, Tsholotsho. A domestic dispute escalated after accusations of infidelity, eventually spilling into a neighbouring homestead.

According to evidence presented, Sibanda broke off a switch from a tree and assaulted the child's mother while she was carrying the toddler on her back. In the process, he struck the child once on the head.

The infant was taken to hospital but died on October 3, 2025, as a result of the injuries sustained.

Sibanda admitted in a statement of agreed facts that his actions were negligent and led to his son's death, though he denied any intent to kill.

The court convicted him of culpable homicide and sentenced him to five years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective three-year jail term.

The State was represented by prosecutor Memory Munsaka, while the accused was represented by the Legal Aid Directorate through Charles Muleza.

The case has drawn attention to the devastating consequences of domestic conflicts escalating into violence, particularly where children are present.