admin
Mathew Masinge
A CHINHOYI man has been jailed four years for causing the death of his wife of 40 years after he assaulted her for not bathing their nephew.
Kasina Kawocha was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide after striking his wife Spejina Kawocha twice on the head with a wooden log.
The incident happened in August last year when Kasina had a heated argument over why the deceased had not bathed their nephew until late in the night.
Spejina bled profusely and collapsed before she was locked inside her bedroom.
The State said Kasina prevented all the first aid help offered by fellow villagers and only allowed his son to help the following morning.
The son sought medical help at Murambi Clinic before Spejina was referred to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital where she succumbed to severe traumatic head injuries.
After a full trial, High Court judge, Justice Philda Muzofa, found out that Kasina was not remorseful after failing to compensate his wife’s relatives.
“Although he asked for forgiveness in Court his conduct did not show any remorse. He did not engage his wife’s relatives at all.
“He could have sent emissaries through his family. We come to the conclusion that the accused is not remorseful,” reads the judgment.
The judge also highlighted that Kasina’s moral blameworthiness was very high.
“Spejina lost her life over a petty issue for not bathing his nephew. Surely after a marriage of over 30 years that issue could have been settled amicably.
“We find that the accused’s moral blameworthiness is high; a sentence exceeding the presumptive penalty is warranted.
“In the result the offender is sentenced as follows: six years imprisonment of which two years imprisonment is wholly suspended for five years on condition the accused does not commit within that period any offence involving the use of violence.”
Online Reporter