This review judgment addresses the case of the State versus Anesu Bhobho, convicted under s 70(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act [Chapter 9:23], which pertains to the offense of having sexual intercourse with a young person. The Magistrates Court, on 10 February 2025, sentenced the offender to 24 months of imprisonment with 12 months suspended leaving an effective jail term of 12 months. The reasons given for opting for a custodial sentence were cursorily captured as follows; “However owing to the seriousness of the offence and its prevalence the court will settle for a custodial sentence as... More
The record of this matter was placed before me for review. Accused
was charged of 4 counts of contravening section 89 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [chapter 9: 23]. He was convicted on all counts. The conviction is proper. There is however an issue on the sentence on count 3 and 4 on the Review cover. More
This is a stated case whereupon the defence and the State counsels plea bargained from murder to the competent verdict of culpable homicide. This is after the State discovered that the evidence from its two eye witnesses is contradictory, each supporting either side. The facts as summarized in the statement of agreed facts are that the accused who was then employed as an armed security guard stationed at Oliander Mine, Chakari shot and killed the deceased on point blank on the right side of the head. The deceased Prince Mutimukulu an occasional employee of the same company died instantly on... More
[1] The offender was arraigned before the court of a magistrate at Kwekwe on 4 July 2025 facing two counts; a charge of assault as defined in section 89(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] (“the CODE”) and a charge of Robbery as defined in section 126(1) of the CODE. The allegations in count one were that on 17 April 2025 and at Village Masina, Chief Malisa, Silobela, the offender person assaulted the complainant by stabbing him once on the upper lip and twice on the back with a knife. More
The folly of the trial magistrate in choosing to deal with this case is simply staggering. It is difficult to comprehend why a provincial magistrate would want to try a matter where he/she clearly has no jurisdiction. I thought it elementary that the first thing a magistrate must ask himself/herself about a case brought before him/her is whether or not he/she has the necessary jurisdiction because without it, one cannot not take a step forward. More
It is now trite that a trial within a trial is a condition precedent to the production of an unconfirmed statement in criminal proceedings. Where the only evidence before a court is the statement made by the accused and the statement is objectionable, then the court has no option but to acquit the accused. In this case, despite the appellant’s defence outline wherein the appellants alleged that they were assaulted and forced to make indications. Despite that, the Court a quo accepted the statements and convicted the appellants based on the indications. This was a misdirection that vitiates the proceedings.... More
The accused were charged with the crime of fraud as defined in S 136(a) and ((b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] (the Criminal Law Code). The charge reads:
“On a date to the Prosecution unknown but during the period extending from 1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023 and at CMED (Pvt) Ltd Head Office Corner Herbert Chitepo/Rekayi Tangwena, Belvedere, Harare, the accused persons Hugh Tinashe Sibanda and Centenary Tobacco (Private) Limited a body corporate established in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe or one or both of them unlawfully made a misrepresentation to CMED... More
