Tawanda Chinyati (20) appeared before the High Court sitting at Gweru on murder charges.

The accused person and the now deceased are cousins. On the 24th of February 2024, the accused person and the now deceased, aged 23 at the time the offence was committed, were at home where supper was served. The family of four was supposed to eat in pairs. The deceased refused to share his plate saying that he was the eldest. The accused person and the other two shared one plate and the deceased ate alone. When the now deceased finished his food, he joined the other three and started eating their food. An argument arose between the accused person and the now deceased, and the now deceased slapped the accused person once on the face. The accused person walked away and returned with a flick knife which he used to stab the now deceased once on the chest before fleeing the scene. The deceased was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The accused person was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe encourages members of the public to desist from violence and resolve their disputes amicably or seek third-party mediation.