Student spared prison sentence after fatal stabbing

A 17-year-old former Milton High School pupil narrowly avoided a jail sentence after appearing in the Bulawayo High Court last Thursday for stabbing another 17-year-old boy to death in the suburb of Magwegwe North. The incident occurred when he was still in grade three and although he was initially accused of murder, the charge was later reduced to intentional homicide.

Prosecutor Khumbulani Nyoni laid out the facts of the case and reported that on the evening of September 20, 2023, at about 6:30pm, the deceased was standing with friends outside Tarima Supermarket. As one of his friends entered the store, the Milton High School student came with his group and stopped next to them. Tensions flared when the deceased's friend informed him that the Milton High School student had earlier attacked him at a nearby bridge.

Faced with this revelation, the now deceased boy approached the Milton student and struck him twice. To avoid further conflict, the Milton student retreated, but the deceased continued to advance on him. At that moment, the Milton boy pulled out an okapi knife and stabbed him in the chest.

The victim collapsed and although an ambulance arrived quickly, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Milton student was arrested shortly afterwards.

In court, the defense argued that the Milton boy acted in self-defense and stated that the deceased showed no signs of backing down. His attorney stressed that the boy was still young and had his whole life ahead of him and that a prison sentence could potentially have worse consequences and turn him into a hardened criminal.

During the sentencing, Judge Evangelista Kabasa expressed her concern about the growing problem of drug abuse among young people. She referred to a probation report that detailed the boy's difficult childhood, stressing that he grew up without a father due to his parents' separation. The report also revealed the boy's problems with drug abuse and his tendency towards bullying.

“You were probably under the influence of drugs, which is a significant problem in our society,” said Judge Kabasa. “Instead of allowing jealousy of the financial stability of those around you to lead to bullying, you should be inspired to improve your own situation.”

The judge criticized the disrespectful behavior of some of today's youth, comparing it to her own upbringing, when students carried books and pens instead of weapons. “It is disturbing to see a generation that some consider unruly, causing others to label their parents as failures,” she noted.

Despite the seriousness of the crime, Judge Kabasa acknowledged the boy's remorse and the psychological impact of his actions. “You have already endured your own form of punishment,” she said, noting that even a short period of imprisonment can feel like a lifetime.

Taking into account the boy's potential for rehabilitation, the judge sentenced him to three years and six months in prison. The sentence was suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar crime in the future. The boy remains under probation supervision.

Before the verdict was announced, the deceased's grandfather spoke about the difficult loss of his grandson, a promising young man who was supposed to take his high school exams this year.