The accused pleaded not guilty to a charge of Murder as defined in s 47 1(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. It is alleged by the state, that on 7 October 2019 and at L2, Rukudzo Village, Chief Marange, Odzi, the accused unlawfully caused the death of Norbert Kavharo by striking him with a stick on the head, hands, abdomen, back and buttocks several times with intent to kill him or realising that there was a real risk or possibility that the conduct might cause death and continued to engage in that conduct... More
This matter was brought on review at the instance of the scrutinizing regional magistrate. The offender was arraigned before the magistrates’ court sitting at Zvishavane charged with the crime of contravening infanticide as defined in s 48(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. It being alleged that on 9 January 2024 the offender gave birth to a baby girl and intentionally dug a pit and buried the baby alive which conduct caused the death of the baby at time when the balance of her mind was disturbed as a result of giving birth. The offender pleaded... More
The accused appeared before the Provincial Magistrate sitting at Marondera facing a charge for contravening section 27 (d) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09 (the Act), that is, unlawfully discharging a firearm in or upon a public place. He was convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of US$100 failure of which to undergo imprisonment for a period of 6 months. More
The accused Bowen Samasuwo pleaded not guilty to murder. The allegation by the state was that on the 18th of August 2009, at Bury hill farm in Banket, he unlawfully and with intent to kill, or realising that his conduct might cause death had stabbed one Noah Dennias with a knife on the back right side of his chest. The stabbing had caused injuries from which he died. The accused pleaded complete self-defence in that he was under an unlawful attack at the time More
The accused Brighton Nyamukoho was charged with murder in that on the 25th of July 2016 he killed his paternal aunt being his father’s sister by striking her on the head with a log following accusations that she was a witch and had caused the death of her husband. The accused pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. More
Both accused persons in this case are charged with murder which had its genesis in a request for a cigarette by the deceased, one Moses Chiyangwa. This request was to one Joseph Mutonhodzi, a reveller at the bar who was the first accused, Carrington Gwera’s friend. They had been drinking at the bar till the early hours of Saturday 16th of April 2016, when the unwelcome request was made. More
The accused was charged with the murder of his wife whom he was said to have assaulted with an iron bar on the 15th of May 2017 resulting in her death. He pleaded not guilty to murder but was willing to plead guilty to culpable homicide. The trial proceeded on the charge of murder.
The backdrop of the State’s case was that the deceased and the accused had been customarily married for about 12 years. They had a misunderstanding on the 12th of May when the accused had confronted his wife about her alleged infidelity. She had left home that... More
On 16 August 2020 accused and the now deceased had a confrontation which the state alleges resulted in accused fatally pulling now deceased’s manhood leading to deceased’s demise. Now accused is facing Murder Charges.
Accused is denying the charges and pleaded not guilty. In his defence he contends that on the fateful day he proceeded to Luckson Gavi’s homestead at 8am where there was traditional brew for sale. He spent the better of the day drinking at that homestead with locals. Whilst at the beer drink he later joined deceased and shared the beer together. Around 1700 hours accused informed... More
It is a paradox that tragedy can befall a Christian couple on their way to church in such an unexpected way as happened in the present case. The accused pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife. The incident took place on 31 May 2011 at Chingwaru village, Chief Masembura, Bindura. More
Both the conviction and sentence in this case offend against norms of justice. It is imperative that this court should intervene.
The accused was convicted in the Regional Magistrate’s Court with attempted murder. The charge itself was demonstrably an overkill. The circumstances disclosed nothing more than an assault. More
The two accused were charged with one count of unlawful entry into premises under aggravating circumstances in terms of s 131 (1) (a) as read with s 131 (2) of the Criminal Code, and one count of murder in terms of s 47 (1) (a) of the same Code. A 3rd accused Lovemore Mumba who was facing the same charges was discharged at the close of the state case and the reasons were given for his discharge. This judgment therefore deals with the remaining two accused. More
The accused pleaded not guilty to a charge of Murder as defined in s 47 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] and proffered a plea of guilty to culpable homicide as defined in s 49 of the same Act. The state accepted the plea of guilty to culpable homicide and thus the matter proceeded on the basis of a statement of agreed facts. More
The accused persons Erizah Zinaka and Nyashadzashe Shanapinuka who were initially facing a charge of murder pleaded guilty to culpable homicide. This was after the State agreed to amending the original charge to reflect the lesser offence following consultations with the accused persons’ defence counsel. More
A grave injustice occurred in this case. This is because as at the time of reviewing this matter the accused had already been punished. This is despite the fact that legally he did not commit the offence that was preferred against him on account of muddled charge and facts. Being a juvenile, the accused person was sentenced to receive two strokes with a rattan cane. More
