Staff Writer
Three Bulawayo men were sentenced last week to an effective 15 years in prison each for kidnapping and assaulting a man whom they accused of knowing a person allegedly plotting to rob their shop.
The Bulawayo Regional Court sentenced Sakhile Ndhlovu (43), Twoboy Tshuma (30) and Decent Ncube (28) after convicting them of kidnapping.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the trio committed the offence on June 22, 2026, at around 9pm when they armed themselves with axes and knobkerries before going to King Masuku’s homestead in Ntabazinduna.
The three men allegedly forcibly seized Masuku and bundled him into their vehicle, accusing him of knowing a person they suspected of plotting to rob their shop.
The court heard that the victim was held throughout the night and subjected to repeated physical assaults as the accused demanded the identity of the alleged conspirator.
At around 5am the following morning, the trio released Masuku and dropped him off at his home.
The matter was reported to the police, resulting in the arrest and subsequent prosecution of the three men.
The court ultimately convicted Ndhlovu, Tshuma and Ncube and sentenced each of them to an effective 15 years’ imprisonment.
The court ultimately convicted Ndhlovu, Tshuma and Ncube and sentenced each of them to an effective 15 years’ imprisonment last week.
The NPAZ said it remained committed to prosecuting violent crimes and ensuring that perpetrators face justice.
The authority also warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, saying those who unlawfully deprive others of their liberty would face the full force of the law.