Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
A MAN from Gokwe has been sentenced to two years in prison while his nephew was handed a one-year term after they were convicted of killing another man, whom they accused of stealing an empty beer bottle.
Elvis Mariromba Mazise (27) was initially sentenced by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa to three years in jail for the heinous crime.
However, one year was suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
His nephew, Nyasha Pasina (19), was initially sentenced to two years but the court suspended one year.
Effort Natali, who was also accused of participating in the attack that led to the death of Given Mamupengesi, was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence of his involvement.
The incident occurred in the early hours of February 27, 2022, at the Nemangwe Business Centre.
Mazise accused Mamupengesi of stealing his empty beer bottle, sparking a brawl.
Mamupengesi reportedly struck Mazise with the bottle, prompting Mazise to seek help from Pasina and another individual only identified as Courage.
The trio then attacked Mamupengesi with fists, a log and an unknown object, leaving him unconscious.
Mamupengesi was taken to the Gokwe District Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on March 1, 2022.
During trial, Natali denied assaulting Mamupengesi, stating that he had only tried to understand what had caused the brawl, when the latter struck Mazise.
Pasina, who pleaded guilty to culpable homicide, admitted to slapping Mamupengesi once on the cheek but insisted he had no intention of killing him.
Mazise admitted to attacking Mamupengesi in retaliation.
Online Reporter