Three men from Chief Mtshana’s area in Inyathi have each been sentenced to three years in prison after the High Court sitting at Hwange convicted them of culpable homicide for fatally assaulting their nephew.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe identified the convicted men as Mzimkhulu Mthombeni (44), Masotsha Mthombeni (49) and Obert Mthombeni (66).
The court heard that on July 4, 2025, the trio assaulted 27-year-old Dumisani Nunu after he allegedly attacked two women while intoxicated.
According to the prosecution, the men tied Nunu up before repeatedly beating him with fists, sticks and a leather strap. He sustained severe head injuries and later died.
Although the three denied intending to kill him, the court found that their actions directly caused his death.
Each man was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective three-year prison term.
Following the judgment, the NPAZ urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands but instead to report suspected offenders to the police.