A Kwekwe tenant received a 15-year prison sentence after fatally stabbing his landlord, who demanded overdue rent and attempted to force an eviction. The High Court in Bulawayo convicted Victor Moyo of killing Prayer Banda at a Mbizo residence in the early morning of July 5, 2021.
Banda entered his tenant's room at House Number 1953 Mbizo and ordered Moyo to leave immediately. Witnesses reported that Banda shouted threats to physically remove Moyo from the property. A physical struggle began when Banda forced his way into the room, and Moyo stabbed him once in the chest with a knife.
Moyo told the court he mistook Banda for an intruder and acted out of fear and confusion. He said he simply pushed an unknown person from his room and had no idea the man was his landlord. Justice Lucy Mungwaru rejected his testimony as fabricated lies meant to avoid punishment.
The judge noted that Moyo showed no real remorse and made inconsistent statements, filled with attempts to play the victim. Grace Banda, the deceased's sister, described the permanent loss of her brother and asked for a severe penalty. The court recognized Banda's aggressive conduct that night but stressed that human life remains sacred and those who cause death must face consequences.
Banda entered his tenant's room at House Number 1953 Mbizo and ordered Moyo to leave immediately. Witnesses reported that Banda shouted threats to physically remove Moyo from the property. A physical struggle began when Banda forced his way into the room, and Moyo stabbed him once in the chest with a knife.
Moyo told the court he mistook Banda for an intruder and acted out of fear and confusion. He said he simply pushed an unknown person from his room and had no idea the man was his landlord. Justice Lucy Mungwaru rejected his testimony as fabricated lies meant to avoid punishment.
The judge noted that Moyo showed no real remorse and made inconsistent statements, filled with attempts to play the victim. Grace Banda, the deceased's sister, described the permanent loss of her brother and asked for a severe penalty. The court recognized Banda's aggressive conduct that night but stressed that human life remains sacred and those who cause death must face consequences.
