Midlands Duo Acquitted Of Murder Charges

Mayibongwe Maphosa (24) of Mbizo Village and Romeo Sezydekurire (31) of Village 5, Chief Sigolo, Silobela, were acquitted by the High Court sitting in Gweru for the alleged murder of Qalisani Tshuma (31) of Ndabambi Village, Chief Sogwala, Lower Gweru.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, on the 13th of September 2024, at approximately 20:20 hours, the now deceased Qalisani Tshuma and his friend Thabo Sibanda traveled in a white Iveco omnibus driven by Dennis Mdlongwa.

The vehicle crew members were the defendants. Upon arriving at the deceased’s homestead, a miscommunication between the first accused and the now-deceased escalated into a physical altercation. According to the state, the second accused struck the now-deceased with a shovel during the altercation, causing him to fall.

When the deceased got up, the first accused allegedly stabbed him in the back with a knife. The accused fled the scene and the deceased later succumbed to his injuries. During the trial, evidence revealed that the now- deceased was the initial aggressor.

Witnesses testified that the now- deceased produced a knife and attacked the first accused person who sustained a stab wound on the thigh and deep cuts on his hands. The court concluded that the first accused person acted in self- defense.The court also found that the second person did not assault the now- deceased at any point during the altercation.

Both accused persons were acquitted of all charges.