The offender appeared before this court charged with the crime of murdering his wife. After a contested trial, we dismissed his protestations and convicted him of the murder. Briefly, the facts proven at trial were that on the fateful night the offender who had earlier in the day been merry-making with the deceased had together with her consumed an entire 750 ml bottle of gin. That drink had an alcohol volume of up to 43%. The couple later had a misunderstanding over the deceased’s refusal to prepare supper which was expected to have taken place soon after the restoration of... More
Prosper Chagunda of Ndamba village in Mudzi (hereinafter referred to as “the accused”) appeared before us charged with the crime of Murder in contravention of s 47(1) of the Criminal Law( Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] (hereinafter referred to as “the Code”) The allegations against him are that on 22 April 2022 at Mapombo business centre in Mudzi, he unlawfully and intentionally caused the death of Nyasha Mungazi (hereinafter referred to as “ the deceased”) by striking him with a log on the head or realizing that there was a real risk or possibility that death may occur, persisted... More
It is this court’s duty in reviewing matters which come on automatic review as per its mandate in terms of s 70(5)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and s 57(1) of the Magistrates Court Act [Chapter 7:10] and s 29 of the High Court Act [Chapter 7:06] to consider among other things the justifiability of the sentence imposed on an unrepresented accused person. This duty has to be taken seriously. This ensures that despite lack of legal representation an accused is treated fairly. The procedure provides a safeguard against arbitrariness and in certain circumstances abuse of power. More
The accused, Mr. Kholwane Nkiwane, is appearing before this court charged with the crime of murder as defined in section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) [Act Chapter 9:23] (Criminal Code). It being alleged that on 13 November 2021 he stabbed Bambeni Ndlovu (deceased) intending to kill her or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that his conduct may cause the death of the deceased and continued to engage in that conduct despite the risk or possibility. More
Porinah Nyamayaro (the deceased), a septuagenarian lived in complete peace and relative comfort at her modest rural homestead. Ironically she died a violent death at the hands of an assailant who attacked her at night after she had disturbed him from stealing her property. Leeroy Mhunza (the accused), was apprehended on the same night that the deceased was assaulted and left for dead. He was charged with the crime of murder as defined in s 47 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9: 23] (the Criminal Law Code). It was alleged that on 7 February 2022... More
A MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL! That certainly could be a perfect title for the tragic end to a tumultuous marriage which appeared doomed from the day the accused started showing signs of mental illness. On hindsight the tragedy could have been avoided. When lives are needlessly lost we all have a duty to remind the responsible public institutions of their duties. A stitch in time saves nine. A little education on mental health issues to the general public and relatives of those who live with people suffering from such conditions may be all it takes to prevent calamities. More
The deceased was a towering figure. He terrorised the two accused persons after they accused him of selling fetid meat. He unfortunately came out of the fight he had started and thought he would easily win worse. Remember and Passmore Rangwani are brothers. They are alleged to have killed Jealousy Jiri on 27 February 2022. The allegations specifically state that on that date, each or both of the accused unlawfully and with intent to kill or realising that there was a real risk or possibility that their actions could result in death and regardless of that realisation of risk or... More
