Girlfriend ‘killer’ freed after 2 years in prison

A Chiwundura man has been freed after spending close to two years in prison after getting a suspended sentence for killing his girlfriend in a suspected crime of passion.

Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Bongani Ndlovu, sitting on circuit in Gweru, yesterday convicted Romeo Machirori (32) of Gangira village under Chief Chiwundura of culpable homicide for causing the death of his girlfriend Pelones Magbe (24) of the same village on June 18, 2022.

Machirori indiscriminately assaulted Magbe with an iron rod after bumping into her while walking with her suspected boyfriend.

He was initially charged with murder, but pleaded to a lesser charge of culpable homicide and was accordingly convicted according to his plea.

Justice Ndlovu sentenced Machirori to four years in prison, which was wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The judge also noted that Machirori had been in remand prison for nearly two years since his arrest.

On its part, the State, through prosecutor Ms Linah Mamombe, conceded to the plea tendered by Machirori through his pro-deo lawyer, Mr Esau Mandipa, of Mutatu and Mandipa Legal Practice.

“The accused acknowledges that through his conduct aforesaid, he was negligent in causing the death of the deceased. The State concedes to the fact that the accused was negligent in the manner he hit the deceased and, therefore, accepts the accused’s plea of culpable homicide,” said Ms Mamombe.

In mitigation, Mr Mandipa said Machirori said his client had served nearly two years in remand prison pending trial, and he had tendered a guilty plea and had assisted the deceased by ferrying her to Gunde Clinic after the assault.

“The accused surrendered himself to the police after the commission of the offence, which was passion killing. He also gave a cow to the deceased’s parents that was slaughtered during the funeral and he bought some groceries that were also consumed during the funeral, among other mitigation factors,” he said.

Ms Mamombe told the court that Machirori and Magbe had broken up in November 2021.

She said on June 18, 2022, around 7pm, Machirori met Magbe with another man on her way home from Mawodza Business Centre.

“The accused confronted the deceased and a misunderstanding arose, resulting in the accused hitting the deceased several times with an iron bar all over the body.

“Allen Machirori came to the aid of the deceased after the deceased cried for help. The deceased sustained soft tissue injuries and was ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital where she died while receiving treatment,” said Ms Mamombe.

She said the matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Machirori and recovery of the iron bar.