21-year-old axes colleague over

Isitshwala

A 21-year-old Tsholotsho man was slapped with a 15-year prison sentence for fatally striking his colleague with an axe on the forehead following a misunderstanding over isitshwala.

Edious Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Evangelista Kabasa and was given a 15-year jail term.

The State’s case as presented by the prosecutor, Mr Blessing Gundane was that on 20 May last year, Ndlovu struck the now deceased Philani Ndlovu three times on the forehead with an axe leading to his death two days later. Ndlovu who was 20 years old at the time had a heated argument with Philani over isitshwala. During the argument Philani slapped Edious once on the cheek. After that Philani retired to bed leaving Edious and Mthokozisi Dube still awake and talking.

The three were farm workers at Albany, Fort Rixon where they are employed by Mr Eliot Mlalazi. Edious and Dube later joined Philani in bed but Edious allegedly woke up and struck Philani three times on the forehead with an axe. The court was told that Dube was awoken by the sound of Philani who was struggling to breathe. He saw Edious wiping off blood from his axe and questioned him on what had transpired. Edious responded by saying he was fed up with Philani’s bullying antics and had decided to deal with him. Dube then quickly informed his employer who took Philani to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died two days later while receiving medical attention. In cross examination all evidence led the court to believe that even though Edious had been bullied he had harboured the anger and intentionally harmed Philani in his bid to revenge.