An 18-year-old resident of Silwane Village outside Beit Bridge was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a local elderly man, whom he accused of being a wizard.

Melusi Sibanda was convicted of murder with actual intent by Judge Justice Andrew Mutema in the border town. Mr Felix Dube and Mrs Elizabeth Chazanga were the assessors.

Sibanda killed Mr King David Ncube (59) by striking him with the handle of a hoe several times on the head. The wooden handle broke into three pieces in the process.

The prosecuter, Mr Whisper Mabhaudhi, said that on 9 December last year, Sibanda went to Ncube’s homestead and started shouting at him. He accused Ncube of trying to strike him with lightning.

It was stated that Mr Ncube then picked up a wooden hoe handle, intending to defend himself. Sibanda responded by grabbing an eight-year-old boy and carrying him away, saying it was better for him to die together with the boy.

The boy fought and freed himself and fled while Sibanda grabbed another juvenile and left the homestead. Ncube, who was armed with the handle of the hoe, followed behind and ordered Sibanda to let go of the girl. Sibanda then grabbed the hoe handle from Ncube and used it to strike him on the head.

Ncube sustained several deep cuts on the head and face. He died about four hours later, due to injuries sustained during the assault.

In his defence, Sibanda said he committed the offence because "he wanted to fix Ncube", who had threatened to kill him.