Two men, two women to serve 10 years each for causing man’s death

TWO men and two women have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing the death of a man they accused of being a thief.

High Court judge, Justice Lucy Mungwari, convicted Bridget Muzadzi, Greystone Rufaro Chihoro, Edwin Rusike and Rita Kamera of causing the death of Aleck Kaitano, after a full trial.

Justice Mungwari condemned the act of taking someone’s life and said the court had a duty to uphold the sanctity of human life.

The judge also condemned vigilante justice and said no one has the right to take the life of another, regardless of the circumstances.

The quartet pleaded not guilty, but witnesses testified against them and they were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

“It should be made clear to the accused that no one has the right to take the life of another regardless of the circumstances.

“It was, therefore, crucial for the accused to exercise self-control as the loss of a life is irreparable.

“Once a person’s life is taken, there is no way to bring him back.

“Each accused is sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment,” ruled Justice Mungwari.

It was the State’s case that on April 11, 2020, Kaitano arrived home from a beer drink at around 7pm.

He turned violent and started destroying household property.

He then went to Nechiva Village where the four stay.

Villagers became suspicious of Kaitano and suspected he was a thief.

Muzadzi, Chihoro, Rusike and Kamera, including other villagers, surrounded Kaitano and questioned him about his intentions in their village.

They started assaulting him and he sustained serious injuries.

A Good Samaritan called his wife who alerted other family members.

When they arrived, they found Kaitano writhing in agony and rushed him to hospital.

However, Kaitano was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Post-mortem results showed that Kaitano had suffered head trauma.

Muzadzi and his son Chihoro told the court that Kaitano was assaulted by a mob which could have led to his death.

They admitted having witnessed the assault, but denied taking part.

Rusike and Kamera also denied the accusations and said they were not in possession of switches that were used to assault Kaitano.

They said when they arrived at the scene, Kaitano had already been assaulted.