Man kidnaps wife's boyfriend

A 40-YEAR-OLD Harare man, who was facing charges of kidnapping his wife's boyfriend, was sentenced to 420 hours of community service by a Harare magistrate.

Innocent Maendesa had pleaded not guilty to the charges but was convicted after a full trial.

Maendesa had an altercation with Silas Chinaa (Jnr), whom he accused of having an extra-marital affair with his wife, Rutendo Myambo, dating back from as far as 2007.

In considering reasons for sentence, magistrate Victoria Mashamba-Kajengo said Maendesa had been provoked by the complainant when the latter proposed love to Myambo.

Mashamba-Kajengo further indicated that Maendesa controlled his anger as in some instances when men who find their wives cheating, they usually commit murder.

"The accused was provoked and it should be noted that in such circumstances, the end result is a loss of life but the accused controlled his anger," read the magistrate.

The State led by Patience Chimusaru proved that in July, Maendesa sent a short text to Chinaa telling him his days were numbered.

The message was sent after Maendesa realised that Myambo and Chinaa were still seeing each other.

Chinaa went missing on the same day he received the message he was never seen again.