Chronicle Editor
Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
A 26-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail for striking his neighbour with a machete following a row over a woman.
Learnmore Mtamba (26) from Cowdray Park suburb was convicted of assault as defined in Section 89 (a) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate, Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe.
Mtamba will serve two-and-a-half years after six months were conditionally suspended for five years.
Mtamba struck Tinashe Ndige (25) with a machete on top of the right eye, right shoulder and fingers after storming into the complainant’s house.
Ngide sustained multiple injuries and a medical report was produced in court as evidence.
In passing the sentence, Mr Chikwekwe noted that cases of assault were on the increase hence the need for courts to pass deterrent sentences.
“The accused had pre-planned the offence and armed himself with a machete, which he used to strike the complainant who had not been provoked him. The victim sustained the injuries while trying to block the weapon which was aimed at the head,” he said.
Mr Chikwekwe said courts have a duty to protect citizens from acts of violence through imposing harsh sentences.
“Many people end up with permanent disabilities as a result of such violence offences. The courts should register displeasure of such crimes. Accordingly, the offender is sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, of which six months are suspended for five on condition that he does not commit an offence involving violence within that period,” ruled the magistrate.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikani said on August 9 at round 10pm, Mtamba spotted the complainant while he coming from an area popularly known as Caravan in Cowdray Park to his way home.
“The accused saw the complainant as he was coming out of his neighbour’s house and confronted him. He then started shouting at the complaint accusing him of snatching his woman,” she said.
The court heard that Mtamba then tried to assault the victim who tried to escape but stumbled and fell down.
“The accused then attacked him with a machete several times, and he sustained a cut on the right shoulder, left small finger and on top of the right eye,” said Ms Kufandikani.
The complainant was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.
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