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Lindani Dube Hwange Court Correspondent
DELAYED justice saved two Binga men who caused the death of their brother-in-law nine years ago from going to prison for a longer period when the court sentenced them to one effective year in jail for culpable homicide.
The duo, Jabulani Ncube, 35, and Sikhangele Ngwenya, 33, both from Zyakamana area in Lusulu, Binga, attacked Elias Donga, 50, claiming he was disrespectful after he allegedly called them “his wives”.

They pleaded not guilty to murder before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Andrew Mutema sitting on circuit in Hwange.

The pair heaved a huge sigh of relief when Justice Mutema sentenced them to two years in prison each and conditionally suspended one year for five years.

Justice Mutema with Elias Ndlovu and Elizabeth Chazanga as assessors said the state’s delay in bringing finality to the matter was a great contributor to the reduced sentence.

He said the accused’s sister was now a widow following the murder although the two claimed they were assisting her in looking after the family.

“Although you say you have been of assistance to Donga’s widow, you’ve your own responsibilities and as such can’t give her all that she used to get from her husband,” said Justice Mutema.

Prosecuting, Namatirai Ngwasha told how on August, 24, 2005, Ncube and Ngwenya were drinking beer at Sadious Ncube, one of the accused’s homestead, who has since died, when a quarrel broke out between the duo and Donga over the alleged disrespectful conduct he showed to his brothers -in -law.

Ngwasha said Ncube began assaulting Donga with an open hand causing him to fall down before he stood up to retaliate by lashing Ncube’s back several times with a rubber whip.

“Donga left the scene and proceeded towards his homestead when along the way Ngwenya appeared to assault him inflicting a deep cut on his forehead causing his death,” said Ngwasha.

Ngwenya broke down during the trial citing the hardships his children had gone through since his incarceration more than eight years ago.