Plumtree Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Brutal Murder of Wife Over Alleged Poison Plot

BULAWAYO – A 34-year-old man from Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after brutally killing his wife with a hammer and a pick handle over suspicions that she was trying to poison him.

Honest Nkomo of Khame area was convicted of murder by Justice Ngoni Nduna at the Bulawayo High Court for the killing of his 27-year-old wife, Milikani Moyo.

The court heard that on July 16, 2024, Nkomo returned home and allegedly found Moyo sprinkling an unidentified substance into a plate of porridge she had prepared for him. Suspecting that the porridge had been poisoned, he demanded that she eat it first to prove it was safe.

When Moyo refused, an argument broke out between the couple. The dispute quickly escalated into violence when Nkomo allegedly picked up a hammer and struck her on the head. He then used a pick handle to inflict further blows, causing severe head injuries that resulted in her death at the scene.

After the attack, Nkomo reportedly walked to a nearby homestead and informed his aunt that he had killed his wife. The matter was subsequently reported to police at Madlambudzi, leading to his arrest.

Prosecutor Wisdom Shava led the State's case, presenting the blood-stained hammer and pick handle as exhibits. A post-mortem report compiled by forensic pathologist Dr Sanganai Pesanai confirmed that Moyo died from severe head trauma.

Several witnesses testified during the trial, including Zakhe Sibanda, Fanton Ndebele, Lethiwe Ncube, Rebecca Mpofu, Sipho Ndlovu, and investigating officer Sergeant Brain Kombore.

In passing sentence, the court condemned the brutal nature of the attack. The case has once again highlighted concerns over rising cases of domestic violence and fatal family disputes in Matabeleland South Province.

Police have continued to urge members of the public to resolve domestic conflicts peacefully and seek mediation or legal intervention rather than resorting to violence.