: Contrary to the representations made by counsel on his behalf, that he is a first offender with no history of violent behaviour, the offender, Tinotenda Mangenjani is a murderer who can rightly be described as the bully of Shamva. From the evidence submitted during his trial, he terrorised the entire community in which he lived. He terrified even members of his own family to the extent that his brother watched helplessly as he butchered the deceased and attacked another person who had gathered the courage to restrain him. More
This record of proceedings was subject of scrutiny by the Acting Regional Magistrate, Northern Division, Marondera. The scrutinizing regional magistrate considered that the trial magistrate had misdirected himself in imposing sentence in that he imposed a fine which was way above the means of the accused and failed to consider and grant time to pay to the accused. The scrutinizing regional magistrate consequently referred the proceedings for review in terms of s 58(3)(b) of the Magistrate Court Act, [Chapter 7:10]. I should indicate that the accused has since served the sentence which was impugned by the scrutinizing regional magistrate. The... More
The Senior Regional Magistrate in Masvingo has referred this matter to the Registrar for guidance on the following facts.
The accused was duly convicted on his plea of guilty to three counts of contravening section 4(1) as read with section 3(1)(a) of the Domestic Violence Act [Chapter 5:16] for having assaulted his wife on three separate occasions. More
In this case, three accused persons all security guards in a company call Ex-Cop were charged with murder of one Edson Girazi,which occurred on 15 October 2014. The offence occurred in the course of their duties at a mine where the deceased,along with others, had been illegally mining gold. More
The accused person faces a charge of murder, it being alleged that on the 8th of February 2013 he caused the death of Pepukai Toendepi by striking him once on the head and once on the top of the left eyebrow with an adze.
The deceased was accused’s biological son. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and instead tendered a limited plea to the charge of culpable homicide. The state accepted that plea and a statement of agreed facts was drawn and tendered by the parties. It was marked Exhibit 1. More
The accused pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 11 months old baby, Tabeth Rirwa (“Tabeth”) which occurred on 10 June 2016 at Maunze village, Headman Samanga, Honde Valley. He pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Anesu Ngorima, (“Anesu”) and admitted the he assaulted Phoebe Mandeya with a machete on the head intending to cause bodily harm during the course of the same assault. More
The accused killed his elder brother over access to food on 12 July 2015. Upon being charged of murder as defined in s 47 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, [Chapter 9:23] he admitted the charge of murder but as per procedure a plea of not guilty was recorded. More
The accused was arraigned before this court facing a charge of murder in terms of s 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. It being alleged that on the 4th October 2016 at 84 Chipundura Park, Bindura, the accused person unlawfully and with intent to kill or realising that there was a real risk or possibility that death might result assaulted and throttled Faith Arimandi thereby causing injuries from which Faith Amandi died. More
: In this unusual case, the two accused who are siblings are charged with murder and attempted murder. Apart from the bizarre circumstances surrounding the charges, the other unusual aspect is that the victim of the murder was the accused’s mother and the victim in the attempted murder is their sister. More
Admittedly judicial work is a painstaking laborious job. When one however accepts judicial office he assumes grave responsibilities. He wields enormous frightening power which must be used honourably, conscientiously and above all responsibly. A judicial officer must apply himself to his work with assiduous care and diligence. This is for the simple but good reason that the enormous power which he wields can have catastrophic effects if not used properly.
Regrettably this case demonstrates how not to conduct judicial proceedings. A perusal of the record of proceedings shows that the hearing was conducted in the most perfunctory run of the... More
The accused in this matter was convicted on his plea of guilty to a charge of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances as defined in section 131(2)(e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Cap 9:23]. Although the process of conviction is otherwise in order, the framing of the charge warrants further scrutiny. More
The accused was charged with and convicted of unlawful possession of 700g of dagga as defined in s 157 (1) of the Criminal Law Code. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was duly convicted. I hereby confirm the conviction. The accused was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment of which 6 months’ imprisonment was suspended for 5 years on condition she does not within that period commit an offence involving unlawful possession of dangerous drugs for which upon conviction she is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine. The remaining 18 months’ imprisonment was suspended on condition of... More
The accused person faces a charge of murder it being alleged that on the 9th of May 2016 and at house number 692/5 Mbizo, Kwekwe, the accused person unlawfully caused the death of Thelma Mashiri by striking her with an electric cable many times all over the body. The accused person pleaded not guilty to murder but tendered a limited plea to culpable homicide. The state counsel accepted that limited plea and the parties drew a statement of agreed facts that was tendered and marked Exhibit 1. More
The accused was charged with contravening s 4(1) as read with s 4(1)(a) of the Firearms Act [Cap 10:09]. He was convicted on his own plea. Nothing turns on the conviction. More
This is an appeal that was noted out of time. An application for condonation of late filing of the appeal was not opposed by the respondent. Condonation was granted. More
