Sangoma Threat Sparks Deadly Fight Between Two Zimbos In SA – One Dead, One Jailed 15 Years
A Zimbabwean man who was in Mzansi illegally has been sent to the slammer for 15 years after he skoppered a fellow Zimbabwean with a stone during a fight about a missing cellphone in Pretoria. Leonard Khoza (42) threw the klippie that caught Aluwisi Verengere (also from Zimbabwe) on the head on 4 February 2023. The Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court also gave Khoza an extra two years for flouting immigration laws. The sentences will run at the same time. Once he has finished his time, Khoza will be deported back to Zimbabwe.
Two Zimbos In SA: Deadly Kwaai Fight Over A Missing Phone And A Sangoma Threat
The drama went down behind a Virgin Active gym in Wonderboom, Pretoria. A group of Zimbabwean nationals had gathered on the evening of 4 February 2023. Some were playing cards. Others were drinking alcohol. Suddenly, Verengere realised his phone was missing. He asked to search everyone present. Some people agreed. But Khoza and his two brothers said no.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), things then got kwaai. Verengere announced he would go and see a traditional healer. He said the sangoma would identify the thief and bewitch them. That is when the fight started between the two fellow Zimbos.
“Following their refusal, Verengere indicated that he would consult a traditional healer to identify and bewitch the person responsible for taking his phone,” the NPA confirmed in a statement.
During the skirmish in Pretoria, Khoza grabbed a stone and hurled it at his countryman Verengere. The klippie hit him square on the head. The victim collapsed on the spot and was declared dead at the scene.
Fellow Zimbabwean Arrested Five Months Later In SA
Khoza managed to avoid the long arm of the law for months. SA police finally tracked him down and arrested him on 4 August 2023. That was nearly six months after he allegedly killed his fellow Zimbabwean. He has been in the cells ever since. In court, Khoza pleaded not guilty. He even claimed he was not even in South Africa when the murder happened. But the State had witnesses.
Regional Court Prosecutor Lufuno Manena brought two eyewitnesses who saw the whole dinges. Their evidence blew Khoza’s story out of the water. The SA court found him guilty of killing his fellow countryman.
‘No Remorse’ – SA Magistrate Tells Zimbabwean As He Throws Away The Key
When it came time for sentencing, Khoza’s lawyer begged the court to go easy. The lawyer said Khoza had no previous convictions. The defence wanted the magistrate to ignore the minimum sentence of 15 years. But the State opposed this klaar.
“The State opposed this request, arguing that the offence was serious and that Khoza had shown no remorse, as he continued to deny responsibility even after conviction,” the NPA said.
Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the prosecutors. He ruled that Khoza had demonstrated zero remorse for killing his fellow Zimbabwean. The magistrate found no substantial or compelling reasons to give a lighter sentence. He gave Khoza the full 15 years for murder plus two years for being in Mzansi illegally.
“The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently and that Khoza be deported to his country of origin upon completion of his sentence.”
The NPA has welcomed the outcome. Khoza now faces nearly two decades in a South African cell before being sent back to Zimbabwe.
Twitter Post (Simulated):
A Zimbabwean national in SA illegally has been jailed for 15 years by a Pretoria court for killing a fellow Zimbabwean with a stone. Leonard Khoza (42) killed Aluwisi Verengere in Wonderboom on 4 Feb 2023 after a fight over a missing phone and a sangoma threat. The court said he showed no remorse. He will be deported after his sentence. – via @Abramjee
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A Zimbabwean man in SA illegally has been sentenced to 15 years by a Pretoria court for killing his fellow countryman with a stone after a sangoma threat over a missing cellphone