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Snooker ball feud ends in 20-year jail for Bulawayo man
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The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has upheld a 20-year prison sentence imposed on a Bulawayo man convicted of killing a security guard following a dispute over a snooker ball.
A bench led by Justice Susan Mavangira dismissed an appeal by Blessing Mhlandla, ruling that both his conviction and sentence by the High Court were sound and free of error.
According to court records, the incident occurred on June 18, 2024, at Giyane Sports Bar in Bulawayo, where Mhlandla was playing snooker.
A dispute broke out after he removed the white cue ball and left the premises. The security guard followed him outside to retrieve it, leading to an altercation during which Mhlandla bit him on the arm.
The guard later returned with a sjambok and confronted Mhlandla again. During the ensuing confrontation, the guard was severely assaulted, lost consciousness and sustained critical injuries.
He was later admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he died on June 23 after his condition deteriorated.
A post-mortem confirmed that the cause of death was severe brain injury, haemorrhage and skull fractures.
Mhlandla pleaded not guilty, claiming he had fled the scene after the initial scuffle and that another individual, identified as Tirivamwe, was responsible for the fatal assault.
However, the court found his version inconsistent. Judges noted that although he claimed to have left before the second confrontation, he was able to describe details of events that occurred afterward - a contradiction that undermined his defence.
State witnesses testified that Mhlandla struck the deceased on the head with an unknown object, while investigations revealed that the alleged involvement of a third party only emerged after the victim's death.
In dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court said there was no misdirection by the trial court and that the sentence imposed was in line with the law.
"The offences of murder in this part of the country are worrisome," the judges said, adding that such acts of violence often have "disastrous consequences."
The court emphasised that the statutory minimum sentence for murder under aggravating circumstances is 20 years, and found that the High Court had correctly applied this provision.
The appeal was dismissed in full, confirming Mhlandla's conviction and sentence.
A bench led by Justice Susan Mavangira dismissed an appeal by Blessing Mhlandla, ruling that both his conviction and sentence by the High Court were sound and free of error.
According to court records, the incident occurred on June 18, 2024, at Giyane Sports Bar in Bulawayo, where Mhlandla was playing snooker.
A dispute broke out after he removed the white cue ball and left the premises. The security guard followed him outside to retrieve it, leading to an altercation during which Mhlandla bit him on the arm.
The guard later returned with a sjambok and confronted Mhlandla again. During the ensuing confrontation, the guard was severely assaulted, lost consciousness and sustained critical injuries.
He was later admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he died on June 23 after his condition deteriorated.
A post-mortem confirmed that the cause of death was severe brain injury, haemorrhage and skull fractures.
Mhlandla pleaded not guilty, claiming he had fled the scene after the initial scuffle and that another individual, identified as Tirivamwe, was responsible for the fatal assault.
However, the court found his version inconsistent. Judges noted that although he claimed to have left before the second confrontation, he was able to describe details of events that occurred afterward - a contradiction that undermined his defence.
State witnesses testified that Mhlandla struck the deceased on the head with an unknown object, while investigations revealed that the alleged involvement of a third party only emerged after the victim's death.
In dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court said there was no misdirection by the trial court and that the sentence imposed was in line with the law.
"The offences of murder in this part of the country are worrisome," the judges said, adding that such acts of violence often have "disastrous consequences."
The court emphasised that the statutory minimum sentence for murder under aggravating circumstances is 20 years, and found that the High Court had correctly applied this provision.
The appeal was dismissed in full, confirming Mhlandla's conviction and sentence.
Source - Newsday
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