Sundaymail Editor
Nyore Madzianike
SIXTY-SIX convicted murderers were sentenced to a combined 1 530 years in prison by the High Court during special circuit sessions for the Midlands province, which sat in Gweru and Gokwe between September 9 and 27.
In addition, three others were sentenced to life imprisonment. The special court also handed a combined 186 years in jail to 38 individuals convicted of culpable homicide.
Five High Court judges, including Deputy Judge President Garainesu Mawadze, were deployed to preside over these cases. The courts were convened to address a backlog of over 150 violent crime cases, some of which had been pending for years.
Of the 90 murder trials set for Gweru, 87 were completed, while Gokwe handled 60 cases, concluding 50 of them. In Gokwe, seven defendants were referred for psychiatric evaluation. In Gweru, 44 individuals were convicted of murder, while 22 others were convicted of culpable homicide after initially being charged with murder. One person received two life sentences for double homicide. In total, 21 cases ended in either acquittals, psychiatric referrals or withdrawals.
In Gokwe, one defendant received a life sentence for murder, while 22 others were convicted of the same crime. Sixteen other defendants were found guilty of culpable homicide.
In a statement to The Sunday Mail, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the proceedings helped enhance the efficiency of the justice system.
“The special High Court circuit in the Midlands province was a significant milestone in the NPAZ’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system,” said the NPAZ.
“We are pleased to report that the NPAZ successfully disposed of a substantial number of cases, demonstrating the NPAZ’s commitment to delivering timely and equitable justice.
“This is in line with Prosecutor-General Loyce Matanda-Moyo’s theme for the year 2024, which is, ‘Restoring Public Trust Through Just, Effective and Timely Prosecution’.
“We completed 91 percent of the cases that were set down for trial. A few cases could not be tried because witnesses could not be located.”
The NPAZ indicated that it was prepared to set up special circuit courts in other provinces, when needed, to ensure swift justice delivery.
“The NPA continues to strive to enhance the effectiveness of the justice system and ensure that all individuals have access to justice, in accordance with the Prosecutor-General’s vision for the NPAZ,” the authority said.
One of the notable cases heard during the Gokwe circuit was that of Emmanuel Nyaku, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of police officer Douglas Ngwenya.
Justice Esther Muremba, presiding over the case, found Nyaku guilty of fatally stabbing Ngwenya during a confrontation that arose from a beer-drinking altercation at Puzzar Dollar Night Club.
The altercation began when Nyaku attacked another patron, Godfrey Mabhuku, who was drinking with a woman he (Nyaku) had previously been involved with.
When Ngwenya intervened, Nyaku stabbed him multiple times, resulting in his death.
In Gweru, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi sentenced Emmanuel Mahembe to two life imprisonment terms for the murder of two women, Patricia Mutero and Idah Chigumbete.
Mahembe murdered Mutero in September 2022 at Dhanga dip-tank, later burying her body and selling her car.
He had met and killed Chigumbete in May 2021. The killing followed an argument over money. He dumped her body in a disused mine shaft.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter