adminMidlands Correspondent
FORMER High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, has sentenced a Gokwe man to an effective 10 years in prison for fatally striking his ex-wife with an axe after accusing her of engaging in an extra marital affair with his brother. Garai Siatembe, 42, from Madenyika village under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South, had pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of murder with actual intent.
He was represented pro-deo by Brian Dube of Gundu and Dube Legal Practitioners.
In passing the sentence, Namibia-based Justice Cheda who was sitting with assessors, Lex Dhlula and Wellington Takawira Matemba found mitigating circumstances in that Siatembe had been in custody since 2009.
The State’s case as represented by Tafadzwa Mpariwa was that on June 4, 2009, Siatembe, met his wife, Anna Mpofu, who was coming from a nearby river to fetch some water.
The two were on separation after Siatembe accused Mpofu of having an extramarital affair with his brother Check, the court heard.
Mpariwa said when the two met along a pathway, Siatembe asked to engage Mpofu but she declined.
Siatembe, who was armed with an axe, then struck Mpofu with the axe on the back of the head and she collapsed.
Mpariwa said Siatembe went on to strike Mpofu on the chest and ribs several times using the same axe.
Mpofu was later ferried to Sasame Baptist Clinic where she died before she could receive medical attention.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Siatembe’s arrest.
In his defence, Siatembe said Mpofu cheated on him with his brother and he reported the matter to the Chief, resulting in his brother being fined two beasts.
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