Court sentences two teenagers to 20 years in jail for fatal assaults
TWO teenagers have been sentenced to 20 years in prison for separate fatal assaults in Zvishavane and Silobela, highlighting ongoing concerns over violent behaviour among youth in Zimbabwe.
In Zvishavane, 19-year-old Thabani Gambiza was convicted of murdering 28-year-old Artwell Ncube following a dispute outside a local nightclub in August 2025.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Gambiza and Ncube had been drinking and smoking together before an argument erupted over money to buy more alcohol. Ncube was reportedly refused re-entry into the club due to intoxication.
“The offender lured the deceased to a secluded open space outside the club and struck him on the right eyebrow with an empty beer bottle. His accomplice, Fungai Kuboya, also attacked the deceased on the back of the head,” NPAZ said in a statement.
Ncube was found unconscious by security personnel and taken to Zvishavane District Hospital, where he died shortly after admission. Kuboya remains at large, and investigations are ongoing.
In a separate case in Silobela, 18-year-old Samson Simbarashe Tichagwa was sentenced to 20 years for the murder of 55-year-old man on December 25, 2025. The incident occurred in Chief Gobo area after a disagreement escalated into physical violence.
Court records indicate that Tichagwa kicked and struck the victim with a steel chair, and later attacked him with a small axe. The victim was dragged approximately 800 metres to his home and died while awaiting transport to hospital.
“These cases are a stark reminder of the consequences of violent behaviour among young people,” the NPAZ said, urging the public to safeguard life and uphold the rule of law.
Authorities continue to emphasise the importance of responsible conduct and community vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
Zbc news
