By Dumisani Ndlovu
Three men from Mberengwa, in the Midlands Province were recently sentenced to seven years in prison
for inflicting multiple injuries that resulted in the amputation of the victim, Panashe Nyamande.
According to the state case as represented by Public Prosecutor, Talent Tadenyika, on 21 November 2023, the three accused persons, Obrit Zondo of number UIK Northood, Mberengwa, Tinevimbo Maphosa of Dunningfarm village under Chief Bvute, Mberengwa and Taurai Mazambani of Mazani village, Chief Matsveru in Chivi that on the 5 th of June 2023,at Quincy Kumba´s Shinsha bar in Vanguard, Mberengwa unlawfully attempted to cause death of Panashe Nyamande by stabbing him several times with okapi knives on the left arm, shoulders, back and chest, with knowledge that the bodily harm may cause the death of Panashe.
The court papers showed that on the day in question, after causing serious injury to the complainant who sustained permanent disability in the process, Panashe was left lying in a pool of blood in the bar.
The trio appeared before magistrate Christopher Maturure at Gweru regional court facing a charge of attempted murder as defined in section 189 as read with section 47 of Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act 9.23.
Although all accused persons denied the charges , Gweru Regional Magistrate, Christopher Maturure found them guilty and slapped the three with a seven year jail term each of which two years were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence in five years.
“In passing the sentence, the state considered evidence from the police and medical report given the fact that the crime was committed in aggravating circumstances, using okapi knives is evidence that the offence was premeditated. You really knew you wanted to commit the crime. With that the state found you guilty and sentence you to 7 years in prison of which I suspend two years on condition that you do not commit a similar crime in the next 5 years,”said Magistrate Maturure.
In passing the sentence, Maturure said attempted murder is a very serious offence in the land.
“Your case is as serious as that of murder. It only differs in murder but the intention is the same,”he said.
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