‘You Are a Danger to Society': High Court Says as Zhombe Killer is Jailed 20 Years

Gweru— A 40-year-old Zhombe man who killed a mine manager with an iron bar has been branded a “danger to society” by High Court Judge Justice Naison Chivhayo, who sentenced him to an effective 20 years in prison.

Edward Banda Maphosa (40) was convicted of murdering King George 3 Mine manager Edwell Shumba (62) after striking him twice on the head with a metal bar at the mine in Zhombe on June 25, 2025.

Shumba died on July 7, 2025, while receiving treatment at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo.

Justice Chivhayo rejected Maphosa’s claim that he had acted in self-defence, finding that there had been no unlawful attack on the accused to justify the force he used against Shumba.

The court heard that the incident followed an earlier assault on mine employee Ignatius Chapanduka.

Chapanduka testified that Maphosa approached him while armed with an axe and an iron bar and assaulted him before fleeing into the mine premises.

Later that night, Chapanduka returned to the mine with Shumba and Getrude Rudo Nedi Dhuro, an assistant mine manager.

According to the State, Shumba got out of Dhuro’s vehicle at the eastern gate and walked behind it to relieve himself.

Maphosa allegedly emerged from the darkness armed with an iron bar and struck Shumba twice on the head before disappearing.

Dhuro and Chapanduka both testified that they witnessed the attack.

Shumba was taken to Zhombe Police Station and subsequently referred for medical treatment.

He was treated at Kwekwe General Hospital before being transferred to Mpilo Hospital when his condition deteriorated.

A post-mortem examination conducted by forensic pathologist, one Dr. I. Jekenya established that Shumba died from intracranial haemorrhage, skull fracture and post-assault severe head injury.

Maphosa, however, maintained that he had acted in self-defence, claiming that Shumba had pointed a firearm at him.

His wife, Netsai, also gave evidence supporting his version and alleged that people linked to Shumba had assaulted members of Maphosa’s family and were threatening him.

Justice Chivhayo rejected the defence version, saying there were material contradictions between Maphosa’s evidence and that of his wife.

The judge said the defence had confused separate events and dates and had failed to account for the assault on Chapanduka, which preceded Shumba’s arrival at the mine.

“There was no unlawful attack on the accused,” Justice Chivhayo said.

The judge said Maphosa had instead taken the law into his own hands.

“People must avoid taking the law into their own hands,” he said.

Justice Chivhayo further said there were established institutions for resolving disputes and channels for escalating complaints if police officers failed to assist.

The tense proceedings were briefly interrupted when a woman who was only identified in court as the deceased’s wife broke down in tears.

Her distress caught the attention of Justice Chivhayo, who directed police officers in the courtroom to assist her.

The officers subsequently escorted the grieving woman out of the courtroom.

In passing sentence, Justice Chivhayo said Maphosa’s conduct demonstrated a propensity for violence and that he posed a threat to the community.

“You are indeed dangerous to society,” the judge told Maphosa.

The court found that Maphosa intentionally caused Shumba’s death and convicted him of murder.

He was sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison.

Prosecutor Talent Tadenyika represented the State.