Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
ATTEMPTED murder convict Gladmore Chigune (47), who struck his wife four times on the head with a machete during a dispute over groundnut shells littering the floor, has been sentenced to 36 months in prison.
The accused, a resident of Lobengula West suburb in Bulawayo, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira facing a charge of attempted murder.
He was found guilty as charged.
In passing sentence, Mr Dzira said the offence had been committed under aggravating circumstances, adding that the accused had a duty to protect the complainant rather than subject her to violence.
“Because of groundnut shells on the floor, you chose violence to solve the issue,” said the magistrate.
He sentenced Chigune to 36 months’ imprisonment, of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The accused will therefore serve an effective 24 months in prison.
Prosecutor Mr Jethro Mada told the court that on 7 May, at about 8am, the accused and the complainant, who are married, were at their home when an argument broke out after the complainant reprimanded their children for throwing groundnut shells on the floor.
“The accused person then thought that the complainant was indirectly referring to him and became violent, resulting in him striking the complainant four times on the head with a machete,” said Mr Mada.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest. The court heard that the complainant sustained serious head injuries as a result of the attack.
A medical report detailing the injuries was produced in court as an exhibit.
