By Paul Nyathi

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo has sentenced a Plumtree man to performs 320 hours of community service at Makhulela Clinic over a murder committed eighteen years ago.

Sokana Nkomo (57), a father of four residing at Butshe village in Madlambuzi area, fatally stabbed Gamula Ndlovu (33) for allegedly snatching his girlfriend in an incident which occurred on November 26 in 2000 at Butshe village.

The judge convicted Nkomo of a lesser charge of culpable homicide charge in connection with the death of Ndlovu when self defence was ruled.

In passing the sentence, Justice Moyo said although the deceased was the aggressor, Nkomo exceeded the bounds of self defence by introducing a knife during the fight.

“A life was lost in the most unfortunate circumstances. However, the deceased acted in an unbecoming manner by pushing the man on the edge. What can a man do when pushed violently? Although the courts don’t condone violence, the accused who was under attack, was bound to react as a human being,” said the judge.

She condemned Nkomo’s conduct, saying even provoked people should not take the law into their own hands.

“The courts have to instill confidence in society because if people lose faith in the justice system, they may end up taking the law into their own hands. Sending accused person to jail 18 years down the line for an offence in which the deceased was the aggressor would not be in the interest of justice,” ruled Justice Moyo.

Both Ndlovu and Nkomo had a love relationship with the same lady.

Mr Russell Dzete of Maseko Law Chambers represented Nkomo.