A Headlands man accused of killing a fellow villager during a late-night confrontation at his homestead has been released on bail after the High Court ruled that the circumstances surrounding the incident warranted his release pending trial. The case, which has unsettled residents of Chitachenyasha Village, centres on allegations of self-defence following a violent dispute that turned fatal days later.
The accused, Sithengisiwe Nyamadzawo, of Plot 17 in Chitachenyasha Village, was arrested on a charge of murder in connection with the death of Stanford Ngilipano, who passed away in hospital five days after sustaining injuries during an altercation between the two men. According to court papers, the clash occurred in the middle of the night after Ngilipano allegedly stormed Nyamadzawo’s homestead and made threats of violence.
Appearing before the Mutare High Court, prosecutor Malvern Musarurwa outlined the State’s position that Nyamadzawo unlawfully assaulted the now-deceased following a misunderstanding that escalated into physical confrontation. Musarurwa told the court that Nyamadzawo used his fists during the scuffle and forcefully pushed Ngilipano against the wall of a tobacco barn. The State argued that these actions directly contributed to the injuries that later led to Ngilipano’s death.
“The accused struck the now deceased several times on the face with clenched fists and rammed his head against the tobacco barn wall,” said Musarurwa, summarising the prosecution’s allegations.
However, Nyamadzawo’s lawyer, Tendai Bvuma, presented a sharply contrasting version of events, arguing that his client acted purely in self-defence after a frightening and unprovoked intrusion. Bvuma told the court that the incident took place at approximately 11:50pm when Ngilipano arrived at the homestead behaving aggressively. Nyamadzawo, who was inside the house at the time, reportedly refused to come out, hoping to avoid a confrontation. It was at this point, the defence argued, that the situation escalated.
Headlands man granted bail after fatal confrontation with villager who allegedly threatened to burn homestead
According to Bvuma, Ngilipano began threatening to burn down the kitchen hut, where Nyamadzawo’s children were sleeping. He allegedly threw stones at the bedroom hut and pulled thatching grass from the kitchen roof while continuing to threaten the family. With his children in danger and the homestead under attack, Nyamadzawo eventually stepped outside in an attempt to stop the disturbance.
The defence argued that as soon as he emerged, Ngilipano struck him with a stone, sparking a physical struggle. What followed, Bvuma said, was a brief exchange of blows between the two men. At some point during the fight, Ngilipano attempted to flee, and while running in the dark, allegedly collided with protruding poles on the barn structure and fell heavily to the ground.
Ngilipano was later taken to hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained during the confrontation and fall. Despite medical efforts, he died five days later. Bvuma maintained that the chain of events showed his client did not intend to cause fatal harm and had acted only to protect himself and his family.
“The accused was confronted at night, provoked, attacked, and threatened with arson while his children slept inside the homestead,” argued Bvuma. “The circumstances clearly point to self-defence rather than deliberate intent.”
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Isaac Muzenda granted Nyamadzawo bail, ruling that the defence had presented a credible version of events that the trial court would need to examine fully. The judge also noted that Nyamadzawo was a community member with a fixed address and did not pose a significant flight risk.
Nyamadzawo was granted US$300 bail and ordered to report to the police once every two weeks. The court also instructed him not to interfere with witnesses and to remain within the jurisdiction unless granted permission by the court.
The case is expected to proceed to full trial, where the court will determine whether Nyamadzawo’s actions constituted lawful self-defence or whether the State can prove the assault led to Ngilipano’s death in circumstances amounting to murder.
Residents of Chitachenyasha Village say the incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting discussions about conflict resolution, security, and the dangers of night-time confrontations in rural areas. As the legal process continues, the case remains one of the most closely followed in Headlands this year.
Source- Byo24
