Gweru woman sentenced to 10 years for fatal stabbing of husband’s lover
By Dumisani Ndlovu
A 34 year old Gweru woman Stacy Thokozani Mkandla, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Gweru High Court Circuit Judge Justice Naison Chivayo for murdering Brightness Phiri,27, her husband’s lover. The incident which occurred in February 2024 when Mkandla caught Phiri with her husband, Tafadzwa Emmanuel Munyoro, in their matrimonial bed and sparking a fatal knife attack was on Tuesday the 24th of September 2024 brought to finality.
High Court Public Prosecutor Clemence Chimbari emphasized that Mkandla used a dangerous weapon to attack Phiri, stabbing her multiple times and targeting delicate areas such as the eye and chest, with the intention to kill. Mkandla’s lawyer, Esau Mandipa, argued for mercy, citing extreme provocation and claiming that Phiri retaliated before being disarmed.
The victim’s sister, Gracious Mkwananzi, expressed deep pain and sorrow in her impact statement, revealing that the family received inadequate compensation from Munyoro. “I am deeply hurt and crushed in spirit about the incident,” she said. “Our family charged the boyfriend, Munyoro, 10 cattle and money as compensation, but he only paid $1000 for the funeral and never returned.”
Seven months later, residents of Mkoba Village 14 in Gweru are still struggling to come to terms with the shocking events. This case highlights the devastating consequences of infidelity and violence. Judge Justice Chivayo has demonstrated a commitment to upholding justice, previously sentencing an artisanal miner to life imprisonment for a fatal bar attack.
Stacy Thokozani Mkhandla and Husband