Chronicle Editor
Sharon Chiware, Midlands Reporter
A Gweru man who in 2015 stormed a mine together with his two accomplices and shot dead the mine owner in an armed robbery case, was yesterday sentenced to life in prison.
George Magambutsu (36) of Mkoba Village 6 had pleaded guilty to murder when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Francis Bere on circuit in Gweru but for the purposes of trial, a not guilty plea was entered.
His accomplices, Tichaona Marevengwa (34) and Learnmore Muzondiwa (28) both of Gokwe under Chief Chireya, were sentenced to 30 years in prison each for their part in the murder.
Magambutsu was represented by Mr Sheperd Mafa of Dzimba and Jaravaza Associates while Maverengwa and Muzondiwa were represented by Mr Austin Sibanda and Mr Zivanai Tapera of Mhaka Attorneys and Magodora and Partners respectively.
Justice Bere, sitting with assessors, Ms Chipo Baye and Mr Wellington Matemba found Magambutsu who fired the shot that killed Mr Handison Moyo, guilty of murder with actual intent.
In his judgement, Justice Bere said Magambutsu’s unsolicited plea of guilty to the offence was a sign of honesty. He said Magambutsu admitted that he was the one who triggered the fatal shot on the deceased hence the decision to sentence him to life in prison instead of the mandatory death sentence.
He however said what was aggravating was that despite the fact that he realised that he had shot Mr Moyo, Magambutsu ordered his accomplices to continue with their looting.
“After you shot the now deceased, you did not make any effort to render first aid but instead you continued with your mission to loot gold,” said Justice Bere.
He sentenced Magambutsu’s accomplices to 30 years in prison each for aiding him in the fatal robbery.
Prosecuting, Mr Tafadzwa Mupariwa told the court that on June 2015, Mr Moyo was at his mine on the outskirts of Kwekwe with two of his employees when Magambutsu, Maverengwa and Muzondiwa stormed the mine armed with a pistol.
They ordered Mr Moyo and his employees to lie down.
They then searched for gold carbon which they took to their vehicle which was parked about 200m away.
Mr Moyo then dashed to Magambutsu who was armed with a gun and tried to wrestle the fire arm from him.
Magambutsu then shot him in the head and he died minutes later.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the trio’s arrest.—@sharonchiware1
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