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Midlands Correspondent
A 48-year-old woman from Chirumhanzu has been jailed for three years for killing her abusive husband by striking him with a log following a misunderstanding over herding cattle.
Euphrasia Masikinye of Mutema Village under Chief Chirumhanzu, appeared before High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese, sitting in Gweru.
She was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The State’s case was that on January 8, 2007, Masikinye and her husband — Christopher Mhamhiwa — went with their son and two fellow villagers to a neighbouring plot to do odd jobs.
Mhamhiwa said their son should return home to herd cattle, but Masikinye said there was no need for that because she had assigned someone else to carry out that task.
When they returned home in the evening, Mhamhiwa accused his wife of being disobedient and a heated argument erupted.
Mhamhiwa grabbed a whip and lashed his wife all over her body, while telling her to return to her maiden home.
She managed to escape and sought refuge at Ms Clara Sinyoro’s homestead in the SAME village, but Mhamhiwa followed her and grabbed her by the neck before whipping her again.
Ms Sinyoro tried to restrain Mhamhiwa, but he turned on her and slapped her once on the cheek.
Masikinye got hold of a log and struck Mhamhiwa several times on the head.
When he fell to the ground, she realised the gravity of the matter and started rendering first aid before taking him home.
Mhamhiwa’s condition deteriorated and Masikinye took him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mr Tafadzwa Mupariwa appeared for the State.
Online Reporter