HWANGE — Matabeleland North is leading in murder cases among the three Matabeleland provinces with 20 cases lined up for trial at the High Court circuit sitting in the mining town for the last term of the 2013 legal year. RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Matabeleland North has a high number of violent deaths, mostly stabbings using okapi knives.
Of the 20 cases, 18 are being tried at the on-going Hwange High Court circuit while the remaining two will be tried in Bulawayo. One of them involves a Jotsholo man who shot his wife three times with a CZ pistol accusing her of infidelity.
Danish David Konson is currently being held at Khami Remand Prison and his trial will start on November 19 at the Bulawayo High Court.
Matabeleland South has 15 murder cases which will all be tried in Bulawayo while the city has seven cases.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese on Monday expressed alarm at the prevalence of murder cases involving knives in Matabeleland North.
Justice Makonese said this shortly before sentencing Try Mbala (46) to 10 years in prison for stabbing 19-year-old Benson Khumalo to death with a knife during a brawl at a beer drink.
“The use of knives in this province is alarming. People like you should be locked away. We are not a violent country and such disputes should be resolved amicably,” Justice Makonese said.
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In another case, an Inyathi man who stabbed a rival suitor was given a 20-year sentence.
Thembinkosi Ncube was convicted of murder with constructive intent by Justice Makonese.
Ncube stabbed Polite Ndlovu to death for marrying the latter’s wife while they were on separation.
The wife escaped death by a whisker and was left nursing stab wounds.
