Illegal Zimbabwean National Sentenced To 15 Years In South Africa For Killing Fellow Countryman
A Zimbabwean man living in South Africa illegally has been locked up for 15 years after killing a fellow Zimbabwean national with a single stone during a row over a missing mobile phone in Pretoria. Leonard Khoza (42) threw the rock that smashed into Aluwisi Verengere (also from Zimbabwe) on the skull on 4 February 2023.
The Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court in South Africa also gave Khoza an extra two years for breaking immigration laws. The sentences will run at the same time. Once he has served his time, Khoza will be thrown out of the country back to Zimbabwe.
Two Zimbabweans In South Africa: Deadly Row Over A Missing Phone
The horror unfolded behind a Virgin Active gym in Wonderboom, South Africa. A group of Zimbabwean nationals had gathered on the evening of 4 February 2023. Some were playing cards. Others were drinking alcohol. Suddenly, Verengere realised his phone was missing. He asked to search everyone present. Some people agreed. But Khoza and his two brothers said no.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), things then took a dark turn. Verengere announced he would go and see a traditional healer. He said the sangoma would identify the thief and bewitch them. That is when the fight started between the two fellow Zimbabweans.
“Following their refusal, Verengere indicated that he would consult a traditional healer to identify and bewitch the person responsible for taking his phone,” the NPA confirmed in a statement.
During the scuffle in South Africa, Khoza grabbed a stone and hurled it at his countryman Verengere. The rock hit him square on the head. The victim collapsed on the spot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fellow Zimbabwean Arrested Five Months Later In South Africa
Khoza managed to avoid handcuffs for months. South African police finally tracked him down and arrested him on 4 August 2023. That was nearly half a year after he allegedly killed his fellow Zimbabwean. He has been behind bars ever since. In court, Khoza pleaded not guilty. He even claimed he was not even in South Africa when the murder happened. But the State had witnesses.
Regional Court Prosecutor Lufuno Manena brought two eyewitnesses who saw the whole thing. Their evidence blew Khoza’s story out of the water. The South African court found him guilty of killing his fellow countryman.
‘No Remorse’ Says South African Judge Over Zimbabwean-On-Zimbabwean Murder
When it came time for sentencing, Khoza’s lawyer begged the South African court to go easy. The lawyer said Khoza had no previous convictions. The defence wanted the judge to ignore the minimum sentence of 15 years. But the prosecution fought back hard.
“The State opposed this request, arguing that the offence was serious and that Khoza had shown no remorse, as he continued to deny responsibility even after conviction,” the NPA said.
Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the prosecutors. He ruled that Khoza had demonstrated zero remorse for killing his fellow Zimbabwean. The South African magistrate found no substantial or compelling reasons to give a lighter sentence. He slapped Khoza with the full 15 years for murder plus two years for being in Mzansi illegally.
“The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently and that Khoza be deported to his country of origin upon completion of his sentence.”
The NPA has welcomed the outcome. Khoza now faces nearly two decades in a South African cell before being sent back to Zimbabwe.
The post Illegal Zimbabwean Jailed 15 Years In SA For Killing Countryman Over Sangoma Threat appeared first on iHarare News.
