Widow, boyfriend jailed 28 years for murder

her and dumped his body in a mountain.
Chengeto Chifire (46) of Rushinga Village under Chief Marozva and her boyfriend Felex Manyusa (48) of Mapetere Village under Chief Mukanganwi were jailed 28 years each for murder on Wednesday.
Justice Samuel Kudya, who is presiding on circuit in Masvingo, convicted the two of murder with actual intent.
Chifire’s brother-in-law, Tofa Mapetere of Bocha in Mutare, wanted to inherit her as his second wife after the death of his young brother, but this did not go down well with the lovebirds.
Chifire and Manyusa then teamed up and killed Mapetere by striking him with an axe handle on the head at Chifire’s homestead where Mapetere had visited from Bocha to make his proposal.
The two escaped the hangman’s noose after Justice Kudya, who was sitting with assessors Mr Eliphas Gweru and Mr Samson Mutomba, ruled that there were extenuating circumstances.
This was after Chifire and Manyusa, who were represented by Mr Collins Maboke of Mwonzora and Associates, said there was no intention on the part of Manyusa to kill Mapetere as he was drunk at the time of the crime.
Justice Kudya considered that Manyusa arrived at Chifire’s homestead already drunk and he might not have pre-planned to kill Mapetere.
He also noted that Mapetere wanted to inherit Chifire against her will and that he wanted to force her to relocate to Mutare to live with him as his second wife.
The incident happened on September 11, 2006. Mr Elson Chavarika appeared for the State.