A 37-year-old artisanal miner, Johane Muzvondiwa, accused of killing his coworker Trust Muzvondiwa over a $26 debt, has applied for a discharge in the Bulawayo High Court. The alleged incident occurred in May 2024 at Pioneer Village 3 Business Centre in Insiza District.

The prosecution alleges that Muzvondiwa stabbed the victim to death with an Okapi knife during a dispute over the debt. State witnesses testified that the confrontation escalated when Muzvondiwa allegedly produced the knife, inflicting fatal wounds to the victim’s chest and neck.

Muzvondiwa’s defense team presented a contrasting narrative, claiming that the deceased and Muzvulvondiwa separated peacefully after discussing the debt and that he only learned of the stabbing later. He denies all allegations and maintains that the knife evidence is circumstantial.

The defense’s discharge motion highlights alleged inconsistencies in witness testimony, questions about the knife’s chain of custody, lack of direct eyewitnesses to the stabbing, and disputed motive. The court must now determine whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.

The ruling will decide whether Muzvondiwa stands trial or is discharged. The court will consider the prosecution’s evidence and the defense’s arguments to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

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