Woman hires mother's neighbours to kill husband

Two Bulawayo men have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the brutal murder of a 27-year-old Nyamandlovu man in a case that took a tragic twist after the victim's wife, who was accused of masterminding the killing, allegedly died by suicide before standing trial.

Ndabezinhle Sithole (28) and Brian Matinyadze (35) were convicted of murder by the High Court sitting in Hwange for the killing of Anold Moyo, whose body was discovered on 31 July 2021 at Harlesden Farm in Nyamandlovu.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Moyo was found dead inside his kitchen hut with multiple stab wounds to the stomach, neck, back, head and face.

In the aftermath of the killing, Moyo's wife, Sitshengisiwe Moyo, reported the matter to police, claiming that her husband had last been seen in the company of friends who were unknown to her.

However, police investigations later uncovered a different version of events.

Prosecutors said Sithole and Matinyadze, who were neighbours of Sitshengisiwe's mother in Bulawayo's Mzilikazi suburb, had travelled to Harlesden Farm at Sitshengisiwe's invitation, ostensibly to assist with farming activities.

As investigations progressed, detectives linked the two men to the murder. During the probe, they allegedly implicated Sitshengisiwe in the planning of the killing.

Police also recovered key evidence, including an axe head and a kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attack, as well as the deceased's stolen mobile phone and a pair of tennis shoes.

Sitshengisiwe was subsequently accused of conspiring with the two men to murder her husband.

However, before she could appear in court to answer the allegations, she allegedly died by suicide, bringing criminal proceedings against her to an end.

Following the conclusion of the trial, the High Court convicted Sithole and Matinyadze of murder and sentenced each of them to 20 years' imprisonment.