A 46-year-old man from Binga, Samson Siauza, has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by the Regional Court in Hwange for attempted murder following a violent attack on former Cabinet Minister Joel Gabuza.
Gabuza served as Minister of Water Resources and Development from 2009 to 2013 under Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, representing the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) party.
He has also held office as a Member of Parliament for Binga South, and later as a Senator under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on 5 June 2025 at Siamwake Village, Chief Pashu, Binga.
Siauza, together with an accomplice who remains at large, confronted Gabuza after suspecting him of being involved in a relationship with a local woman, Rumbidzai Munsaka.
Fueled by anger and suspicion, Siauza dragged the former minister from his vehicle, stabbing him in the right eye with a homemade knife before repeatedly striking him with logs alongside his accomplice.
Gabuza sustained serious head injuries and deep cuts but survived after receiving urgent medical treatment at Mpilo Hospital.
Police later recovered the weapons used in the attack, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive co-accused, Smart Sipu.
The court convicted Siauza of attempted murder and handed down a six-year sentence, with two years suspended, resulting in an effective four-year prison term.
The NPA stressed that domestic or relationship disputes should never escalate into violence, warning that perpetrators will face severe prison sentences regardless of the circumstances.
