Man Murder Cop Over Cigarette, Jailed 18 Years
A man from Emakhandeni suburb, Mthulisi Moyo, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after fatally stabbing a police officer during a fight over a cigarette. Man murder cop over cigarette, jailed 18 years.
Moyo appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa, where he was convicted of murder.
In his defense, Moyo claimed he acted in self-defense, saying the deceased, along with two others, attacked him. He recounted that the officer strangled him, while the others pinned him down and kicked him.
Fearing for his life, Moyo grabbed a knife and stabbed the officer to break free.
The incident happened on October 8, 2022, at Emthonjeni Bar in Figtree. Around 11 p.m., the police officer, drinking with a friend, Mahlangu, asked the barman to extend the closing time.
Moyo, who had been drinking outside with friends, entered the bar to buy a cigarette. The officer informed him the bar had closed, which sparked a heated argument.
Despite efforts from the barman and Mahlangu to restrain Moyo, tensions escalated. As the officer ordered Moyo to leave, Moyo resisted and stabbed the officer three times—twice in the chest and once in the wrist.
The officer collapsed, bleeding heavily, and died at the scene. Moyo fled the bar, but police later arrested him after investigating the fatal stabbing. Man Murder Cop Over Cigarette, Jailed 18 Years