Hitman jailed 7 years for attempted murder

AHEADLANDS hitman, Tatenda Mudziwedare (20), who attempted to strangle a minor to death for ritual purposes was jailed seven years by a Rusape regional court.

Mudziwedare, of Village 5B Sherenje, was last Friday convicted on his own plea of guilty by regional magistrate, Mr Francis Mapfumo.

Mr Mapfumo suspended three years on condition of good behaviour.

Mr Tawanda Munjanja prosecuted. The court heard that on February 28, 2024 — Mudziwedare, who appeared in court as a self-actor, was instructed by a businessman at Eagle Nest, John Mudondo to him bring a human head.

Acting on the instruction, he chased a group of learners who were on their way to Sherenje Primary School, and grabbed a seven-year-old Grade One learner. He squeezed his throat using both hands.

He only stopped after noticing some villagers approaching from a distance.

The victim rushed home where he narrated his ordeal to his mother, who later reported the matter to the police, leading to Mudziwedare’s arrest.

“The complainant is a Grade One learner. On February 28, 2024 and at around 7am, Mudziwedare was at Sherenje Business Centre when he saw the complainant and other learners going to Sherenje Primary School.

“He chased the learners and managed to grab the complainant. He squeezed the complainant on the neck using both hands.

“The accused person saw some local villagers at a distance and let go the complainant. The matter came to light when the complainant reported to her mother what happened,” Mr Munjanja told the court.

The police are yet to quiz Madondo on the allegations.

However, Mudondo has responded via social media pleading innocence.

“I have no warrant of arrest and neither have the police contacted me. This is what happens when you are persecuted for believing in Jesus Christ and trying to make an honest living through business.

“I don’t know anything, they are just rumours that I am also hearing and seeing on social media and so there are just some things I can’t speak on because I honestly have no idea of what is really going on.

“I was told about the issue by a pastor on WhatsApp who informed me that the police had come to my shop looking for me.”