A Victoria Falls man, Paul Jubane, 35, has been committed to a mental institution after he viciously axed his 60-year-old mother, Irene Jubane, to death. The horrific incident unfolded on June 24 last year at the family’s residence in the BH28 area, under Chief Mvuthu. Armed with an axe, Paul Jubane approached his mother from behind while she was watering vegetables in their garden. Without warning, he struck her on the back of her head, causing her to collapse and die instantly while his father watched helplessly.
Following the murder, Jubane fled to seek assistance from neighbours, leaving his mother’s lifeless body behind in a pool of blood. The police were alerted, leading to Jubane’s subsequent arrest. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Jubane suffered from substance-induced psychosis, which rendered him mentally unstable at the time of the murder.
In light of Jubane’s mental condition, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda ruled that he could not be held legally responsible for his actions. Jubane was committed to Mlondolozi prison, a mental health institution located at the Khami Maximum Security Complex, to ensure the safety of society. The court retained a special verdict of not guilty of murder because of insanity, citing section 29 (2) of the Mental Health Act.
The murder case has brought to the fore the impact of drug and substance abuse, which health experts have warned may lead to mental illness or death. Government is currently battling to contain an upsurge in drug and substance abuse, especially among the youth.
