The Harare High Court has delivered a stark sentence of 35 years imprisonment to Soul Mubau, a 29-year-old man found guilty of the brutal murder of his father-in-law, 63-year-old [Name withheld for privacy reasons]. This chilling act of violence, fuelled by a simmering dispute over the education of Mubau’s children, has left a community reeling and cast a long shadow over the family, with the chilling prospect of “ngozi” – the vengeful spirit of the deceased – looming large.
The court heard how Mubau, consumed by anger over the alleged withholding of his children’s education, stormed his father-in-law’s homestead in Chaitezvi Village, Goromonzi, demanding their immediate release. The State presented a harrowing account of the ensuing attack, painting a picture of unbridled rage. Mubau, it was alleged, unleashed a torrent of violence upon the elderly man, striking him with a viciousness that belied the familial bond that should have existed between them.
The court heard that Mubau punched the deceased, knocking him to the ground, before pinning him down and strangling him. He then proceeded to bludgeon the helpless man’s head with an iron bar, leaving him with multiple fractures to his skull, ribs, and arm. The brutality of the attack was further underscored by the fact that Mubau fled the scene and returned to Harare, leaving his father-in-law to die alone.
In his defence, Mubau attempted to portray himself as a victim of mental instability, claiming that his actions were driven by a fit of rage. However, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, presiding over the case, saw through this facade. The judge, in his finding, deemed the murder to be premeditated and characterised by extreme violence, rejecting Mubau’s claims of self-defence as “spurious”.
“The offender displayed a lack of remorse and a willingness to evade justice at any cost,” Justice Mutevedzi stated, highlighting Mubau’s attempts to manipulate the legal process. The judge further underscored the cultural context of the crime, emphasizing the deep respect that a son-in-law is expected to show towards his wife’s father, regardless of personal differences. “A son-in-law cannot engage in confrontations with his wife’s father under any circumstances,” he stated, highlighting the gravity of the transgression.
The sentence, a significant 35 years behind bars, reflects the court’s condemnation of the violence and the need for justice. However, the legal ramifications of Mubau’s actions pale in comparison to the spiritual consequences that are likely to follow. The concept of “ngozi” – the spirit of a wronged individual seeking retribution – is deeply ingrained in Zimbabwean culture. In this case, the brutal nature of the murder and the lack of remorse displayed by Mubau suggest a high likelihood of “ngozi” manifesting.
According to traditional beliefs, the spirit of the deceased will seek to avenge the injustice inflicted upon them, often demanding compensation in the form of livestock, typically cows. The number of cows demanded can vary, with some cases requiring as many as 60, but a minimum of 10 is usually expected. The failure to appease the “ngozi” can lead to a range of misfortunes, from illness and financial hardship to accidents and even death of several family members.
