: There is nothing victim friendly about a murder. In the normal course of things, the courts usually do not concern themselves with which unit of the Zimbabwe Republic Police conducts investigations into a particular crime. In this case, we were however taken aback and found it odd that a homicide was assigned to the police’s Victim Friendly Unit. The officer who conducted the investigations confessed that she had no clue in murder investigations. Such conduct can easily cause injustice to the victims of crime where an accused then walks free not because they did not commit the crime but... More
: 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
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
Wellington Gwashure (the accused) is alleged to have murdered the deceased who was his wife on 3 October 2022. Prosecution alleges that on that date and in contravention of section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] he unlawfully and with intent to kill or realizing that there was a real risk or possibility that his conduct may cause death but continuing to engage in that conduct despite the risk or possibility, assaulted the deceased several times all over the body with wooden sticks, booted feet and clenched fists. The deceased sustained injuries from which she... More
This murder case raises one issue for determination whether the accused is liable for the death of the deceased who fled from the accused and jumped into a river and died. The background facts are largely common cause. On the 20th of January 2024 the accused who was in the company of one other person apprehended the deceased Tawanda Musona a suspected thief. They assaulted him using open hands and switches. They intended to take him to the farm office. Along the way, the deceased bolted. He ran away, they pursued him. Deceased ran and jumped into Munene River. The... More
Joyce Chikomo (the deceased) and Zvisineyi Rupiya (the accused) stayed in bliss at a farm compound in the farming areas of Bindura. The serenity in the area was rocked on 7 September 2023 around 1700 hours after the deceased confronted the accused who was in conversation with one Beauty Mutyambizi. The deceased wanted to know what the two were discussing. Taking no prisoners, the deceased said they were discussing the rumour which was circulating in the area that the accused had had sexual intercourse with her neighbour called Abraham Saramba and was paid USD $5 for the service. The accused... More
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the offence of murder in contravention of s47 (1) of the Criminal Law Code. He raised two defences, provocation and self- defence with voluntary intoxication as a mitigatory factor. It is alleged that he axed to death his friend and relative, Washington Kachepa, on the night of 25th of March, 2024 after a beer drink at Bluegrass Village, Kadoma. More
