The Bulawayo High Court, Thursday, sentenced a local man to six years in jail for fatally stabbing a reveller at a party in Pumula North suburb in 2018.
Richard Mpofu (20) who had pleaded not guilty, was convicted by Justice Martin Makonese after a full trial.
The court heard that Mpofu stabbed Dennis Nobert Ncube (22) once on the left side of his neck and fled the scene.
Mpofu was initially charged with murder but the charge was later altered to culpable homicide after the court assessed Ncube’s medical report.
Two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour and the remaining four years will be an effective jail term.
Mpofu’s lawyer, Maqhawe Mpofu of Mlaudzi Law Chambers, argued before the court that his client stabbed Ncube in self-defence.
He said Ncube and his friends teamed up against Mpofu and beat him so he drew out his knife to defend himself from being assaulted.
“Ncube and his gang teamed up against Mpofu. He fled from them and was followed by one Darren. Darren told him that Ncube and his gang were still conspiring to come and assault him further. He then left him a knife to defend himself with if the necessity arose. When Mpofu went behind the house, he met Ncube. Ncube insulted him by his mother’s obscenities and attempted to punch him,” said the lawyer.
“As a result of this persistent and incessant provocation and in the heat of the moment, Mpofu lost self-control, drew his knife and stabbed Ncube once on the left side of his neck.”
For the State, Sifiso Ndlovu-Sibanda told the court that Mpofu had visited his relatives in Pumula north and on November 16, 2018 he attended a party close to his relatives’ house.
“The party finished around 10 pm and as he left he met Ngodzo with whom an argument ensued. The two ended engaging in a fistfight. After the fight Ngodzo was picked by a car and drove off while Mpofu continued on his way,” said the prosecutor.
“Mpofu later met Ncube who was now walking back to the party venue. He confronted him and stabbed him once on the left side of the neck. Ncube staggered and fell to the ground bleeding profusely. Mpofu fled the scene and disappeared into the darkness.”
