A 43-year-old man from Chipinge has been sentenced to an effective seven years in prison after he was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder stemming from a violent knife attack that left two young men seriously injured.
Daniel Zikuzo Maphosa appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Bishard Chineka, who found him guilty of attempting to murder the two victims in a public altercation that escalated into a near-fatal confrontation. Maphosa was charged under Section 189 as read with Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Although the court handed Maphosa a 10-year sentence, three years were suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, leaving him to serve an effective seven years behind bars.
According to court proceedings led by public prosecutor Mr Isaac Tangwena, the incident took place on the night of July 9, 2025, at Chako Business Centre in Chipinge. Maphosa reportedly got into a heated argument with the two victims, aged 22 and 24, while at a local food outlet. Witnesses testified that the verbal altercation quickly spiraled out of control, culminating in Maphosa drawing an okapi knife and viciously stabbing one of the victims in the chest and the other in the back.
“The victims sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby medical facility, where they received emergency medical attention,” said Mr Tangwena. “A police report was promptly filed, and Maphosa was arrested shortly after the attack.”
Chipinge Man Jailed for Seven Years Over Brutal Knife Attack on Two Victims
During sentencing, Magistrate Chineka delivered a scathing rebuke of Maphosa’s actions, describing them as barbaric and wholly unacceptable in a modern society. He emphasized that the use of weapons to resolve disputes posed a serious threat to public safety and would be met with stern judicial consequences.
“This court will not turn a blind eye to such reckless behaviour that endangers lives,” said Mr Chineka. “The use of a knife to settle personal disagreements is not only primitive but shows an alarming disregard for the sanctity of human life.”
The court considered several aggravating factors in arriving at the sentence, including the severity of the wounds inflicted, the force used, and the fact that the incident occurred in a public setting with other people present. Although the two counts of attempted murder were treated as one for sentencing purposes, the magistrate said the gravity of the attack — targeting two victims in quick succession — could not be understated.
“The fact that you stabbed not one, but two individuals in a single episode of violence, speaks to a level of aggression that this court finds deeply disturbing,” said Mr Chineka. “A custodial sentence is not only warranted but necessary to demonstrate to society that such conduct will not be tolerated. Others who may be tempted to resort to similar violence must understand the consequences.”
The magistrate further acknowledged that while the victims have since recovered physically, they continue to deal with psychological trauma stemming from the attack. Statements presented during trial showed that both young men have experienced ongoing anxiety and distress since the incident.
“The emotional and psychological toll this act of violence has had on the victims is significant,” added Mr Chineka. “Though their physical injuries may have healed, the scars left behind — especially on their mental well-being — are still raw.”
The sentence has been met with approval from community leaders and members of the public, many of whom say the case should serve as a warning to others about the consequences of violent conduct. Some residents of Chako Business Centre expressed relief that justice had been served, and praised the swift response from police and medical personnel that prevented the situation from becoming fatal.
As Chipinge man begins his prison term, authorities are also using the case to raise awareness about the dangers of carrying knives in public spaces and to encourage peaceful conflict resolution. Police have urged the public to report anyone suspected of carrying weapons or engaging in threatening behaviour before altercations erupt into violence.
The case has added to a growing debate about rising incidents of knife-related violence in Zimbabwe, with some legal experts calling for even tougher sentencing laws and community-based interventions aimed at curbing such dangerous confrontations before they turn deadly.
Source- Heraldonline
