admin
assault their brother-in-law and his father Kingston Madziva after they had refused to pay the money.
Using force, the two brothers snatched Mr Madziva’s car keys, driver’s licence, US$300 cash and the coffin carrying the deceased.
The pair’s sister and the deceased’s father were divorced.
Magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame convicted Benjamin and Bernard of extortion and robbery after a fully contested trial.
On the robbery charges, Mr Shortgame sentenced the duo to 12 months in prison each before suspending two months on condition of good behaviour.
Another three months were suspended on condition they restitute US$300 to Mr Madziva on or before February 28.
In addition, the two brothers were ordered to pay US$100 fine each for extortion or risk going to prison for 30 days.
Prosecutor Mr Elijah Sibanda told the court that on September 7 last year, Mr Madziva received news that his grandson had died.
Madziva teamed up with his son (deceased’s father) and processed a burial order.
After processing the burial order, they went to Chitungwiza Central Hospital where they collected the deceased’s body with the intention of going to their rural home for burial.
On the same day at around 2pm, the brothers and their sister met their in-laws at Market Square where they discussed the way forward.
Bernard and Benjamin then demanded US$500 from their in-laws as payment for taking care of the deceased.
A misunderstanding ensued which degenerated into a fist fight with the in-laws at the receiving end.
The brothers then demanded the burial order before taking Mr Madziva’s personal property and the coffin.
They later gave him back his car keys and went away with the deceased’s body.
leeroy