A MAN from Tsholotsho was axed to death while his suspected
14-year-old girlfriend had her stomach ripped open resulting in her intestines
protruding, allegedly by a rival suitor in a suspected love triangle.
This emerged when one of the suspects, Ntuthuko Sibanda
(22) filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court
citing the State as a respondent.
Sibanda, who is facing charges of attempted murder and
murder, allegedly ganged up with his friends identified as Mduduzi Ncube,
Lawrence Gumede, Langton Moyo and Mthokozisi Dube and fatally attacked the
deceased Sifiso Ncube with axes, stones and a knobkerrie in a fight over the
juvenile.
Sibanda later turned his anger on the girl, axing her in the
stomach leaving her intestines protruding. The girl was rushed to Mpilo Central
Hospital in Bulawayo for treatment. The incident occurred on April 18 this year
at Akhona Bottle Store in Tsholotsho.
In his bail statement, Sibanda, who is a self actor, is
denying both charges, arguing that there were no compelling reasons warranting
his continued detention.
He dismissed the State’s assertion that if granted bail he
would abscond, arguing that the State has the onus to prove his guilt beyond
reasonable doubt.
As part of the bail conditions, Sibanda is offering to
report at Tsholotsho Police Station once a week as well as not interfering with
State witnesses.
The State, which is being represented by Ms Nokuthaba
Ngwenya, is opposing the application, arguing that due to the gravity and
seriousness of the offences, Sibanda was likely to abscond if released on bail.
“Due to the serious charges that the applicant is facing and the circumstances
surrounding the commission of the offence, it would not be in the interests of
justice to release him on bail. He recklessly and mercilessly attacked two
people with an axe resulting in one of them succumbing to the injuries. There
would be a public outcry if the applicant is released into the community where
he committed the offence,” argued Ms Ngwenya.
“Sibanda is facing a serious charge such that if convicted
he is likely to be sentenced to a lengthy custodial sentence. This is likely to
induce the applicant to abscond to avoid standing trial.”
In papers before the court, it is alleged that on April 18
this year, Sifiso was on his way to visit the juvenile when Sibanda and his
accomplices confronted him at Akhona Business Centre in Magumandwini area in
Tsholotsho.
Sibanda accused the deceased of dating girls from their
neighbourhood. It is further alleged that Sibanda claimed to have long had
interest in the girl who happens to be his childhood crush and blamed the
deceased for taking away his chances of winning her. Sibanda and his
accomplices had a dispute with Sifiso over the girl before they
indiscriminately attacked him with stones, axes and knobkerries. Sifiso
sustained severe head injuries.
Sibanda later turned his anger to the girl, axing her in
the stomach leaving her intestines protruding. Both the girl and the deceased
were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where Sifiso later died.
The other four suspects were also arrested and they are on
remand awaiting trial. Chronicle
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