We decided to proceed with this judgment without the benefit of counsel for accused’s written closing submissions. This so because counsel had promised to file written submissions by 20 December 2017. This matter has been outstanding for a long time. The accused is alleged to have caused the death of his father Sikhala Zhou who is his namesake by striking him with an axe several times on the head and neck on 6 November 2016 in contravention of s 47 (1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform, Act) [Chapter 9:23]. More
Both accused persons are facing a charge of murder as defined in s 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, [Cap 9:23]. The charge is that on 19 May 2017 at about 7 km peg along the Roy – Gutu road in Masvingo each or both of the accused in the company of one Nyasha Sango who is at large caused the death of Phio Jeketera by stabbing him with an okapi knife in the course of a robbery. More
The gods should have literally smiled at the accused in this matter when he appeared before the trial Magistrate at Chivi. Indeed the accused was treated with kid gloves to say the least as a manifestly lenient sentence was imposed. The accused seemed to have continued to ride his luck as the learned scrutinising Regional Magistrate despite initial well founded reservations nonetheless was apparently persuaded to confirm the proceedings as in accordance with real and substantial justice!! More
The tragic events in this matter unfolded on the new year’s day being 1 January 2017, a day normally associated with merry making, at Bhuka business centre a few kilometres outside Masvingo town along the Masvingo to Beit Bridge highway. More
The 50 year old accused was initial arraigned for causing the death of her 36 year old mentally ill and HIV positive daughter in contravention of s 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, [Cap 9:23]. However the matter proceeded on the basis of a Statement of Agreed Facts on a charge of culpable homicide as defined in s 49 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, [Cap 9:23] for which the accused was duly convicted. More
