Hwange Court Hands 4-Year Jail Term in Attempted Murder of Former Minister

By Andile Vundla

27 August 2025

The Regional Court in Hwange has jailed a 46-year-old man for attempting to kill former Minister of Water Resources and Development, Joel Gabuza.

The convict, Samson Siauza, will serve four years behind bars after stabbing and assaulting the former minister in a violent attack at Siamwake Village, Chief Pashu, Binga, on June 5th this year.

The court heard that Siauza, acting with an accomplice still on the run, accused Gabuza of having an affair with a local woman. They dragged him from his vehicle, stabbed him in the eye with a homemade knife, and struck him repeatedly with logs.

The former minister sustained serious head injuries but survived after emergency treatment at Mpilo Hospital. Police later recovered the weapons used, and the hunt continues for the fugitive co-accused, Smart Sipu.

Siauza was initially sentenced to six years in prison, but two years were suspended on condition of good behavior, leaving him with an effective four-year term.