AN overzealous security guard who was employed at a restaurant in Binga will live to regret the day he picked a fight with a customer after he was this week sentenced to 40 years in jail for murder.
Million Muleya of Ndelele Village in Kariangwe, Binga, stabbed Zibusiso Ndlovu, a nurse at Kariangwe Mission Hospital in November last year.
The victim had ordered food at Smart Corner Restaurant and waited in the restaurant for his grub when Muleya, 38, accused him of being an intruder and ordered him out of the shop.
When Ndlovu refused while attempting to explain that he was waiting for his order, Muleya started assaulting him with fists.
A witness, Badmiles Hama, restrained Muleya, who later armed himself with a homemade knife and stabbed Ndlovu once near the right breast causing his death.
Muleya was found guilty of murder with actual intent when he recently appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, on circuit in Hwange.
Prosecuting, Namatirai Ngwasha said Muleya picked a fight with the now deceased in July.
“On 27 July the deceased bought food at Smart Corner in Kariangwe and was told by the waiter to wait in the eating hall while the food was being served.
“The accused confronted the now deceased and told him to leave shop because only customers carrying plates of food were allowed in,” said the prosecutor.
Court heard that Ndlovu tried to explain that he was waiting for his order but Muleya would have none of it.
A misunderstanding degenerated into a fist fight and Hama who was close by intervened.
Not done, Muleya entered the kitchen and came out armed with a homemade knife which he used to stab an unsuspecting Ndlovu causing his death moments later.
Muleya chased after Hama as he attempted to stab him.
Attorney Thulani Nkala of Dube and Company represented Muleya pro deo.