adminChief Bunina in Lower Gweru lured Tsitsi Kwembeya, who was 26-years-old, with a sack of maize before he took her to a secluded place where he hit her several times with stones.
Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, sitting on circuit in Gweru, convicted Letha after a fully contested trial.
In passing sentence, Justice Mathonsi said Letha deserved a custodial penalty since he committed a most heinous offence.
He said the sentence had to be a warning to would-be offenders so that they have respect for human life.
Prosecutor, Mr David Zashura, proved that on June 24 in 2009, Letha proceeded to Kwembeya’s homestead since they were lovers.
Letha informed Kwembeya that he had bought some maize in the nearby Gondongwe Village which she was supposed to collect.
He asked for her company and along the way at Machizisa Hill, Letha asked her why she was double crossing him with other men.
Kwembeya responded in a manner that angered Letha before a fight ensued.
She fled, but Letha gave chase with an axe in his hand, which later dropped.
He caught up with her before assaulting her several times with stones on the head resulting in fatal injuries.
On July 4 the same year, one Norah Gondongwe who was looking for her cattle came across the body in Machizisa Hill.
She informed other villagers before a police report was filed.
A post-mortem revealed her death was due to skull fractures, head and face injuries.
Online Reporter