Killer soldier granted bail by the High court

‌In what most people have termed a shocking development, the High Court has granted bail to a Zimbabwe National Army soldier who stabbed his wife seven times and ripped her stomach open. This was after she had refused to reconcile with him. The bitter lover had then followed her to her parents’ home. Gugulethu Ndlovu (29) who is stationed at the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) 1.2 Infantry Battalion in Hwange was released on $10 000 bail after he was arrested for the murder of his estranged wife Nompilo Moyo.

In spite of the state’s vigorous objection to Ndlovu’s bail application, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa granted Ndlovu $10 000 bail and ordered him to report twice a week at Nkulumane Police Station as part of the bail conditions.In her ruling, Justice Kabasa said,“It is ordered that the applicant deposits a sum of $10 000 as bail with the Criminal Registrar at the High Court in Bulawayo. Applicant should also report at Nkulumane Police Station twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.”

Explaining why she had granted him bail despite the state’s objections, Justice Kabasa said,“The applicant has a strong defence to the allegations levelled against him. He is not a flight risk and there is no tangible evidence for the contention that he will escape or interfere with State witnesses if released on bail.”

Cases of death during matrimonial disputes have become very common. The victims are usually women. The current lockdown has also caused an increase in the number of reported domestic violence cases including murder.

According to the state’s case, Ndlovu had separated with his wife Nompilo Moyo following a matrimonial dispute. Moyo is reported to have abandoned the couple’s home in Nkulumane suburb after she was accused of infidelity. Following numerous altercations over the issue, she moved back to her parents’ home at Kumbudzi Village under Chief Mathe area in Gwanda District.