News / National
Women threaten to strip in public over satanism case
22 Mar 2013 at 05:54hrs | Views
Chaos erupted at the Mutare Magistrates Court last Friday as an angry mob bayed for the blood of a lawyer representing self confessed Satanist, Thomas Zvapanganwa, saying he should at least have a heart for the murdered girl.
The mob, which was mainly composed of women, threatened to undress in protest as they uttered unprintable words to the legal practitioner, Mr Fungai Kuzinya of Henning Lock Legal Practitioners for defending Satanism through his representation of Zvanganwa whom some sections of the community expected to get a life sentence for the heinous murder of Grade Six girl Taremeredzwa Marere last year.
Zvapanganwa was sentenced to 20 years for murdering the 12-year-old Hillcrest Preparatory School pupil when he appeared before High Court Judge Justice Susan Mavangira in a packed court last Friday.
The incensed crowd argued that the sentence was too lenient for a cold blood murderer, who cut Taremeredzwa Marere's throat, crushed her head with a toilet cistern lead three times, till she released blood mixed with form, which he sucked. They said Taremeredzwa died a painful death and Zvapanganwa deserved at least life imprisonment or face the hangman's noose.
"We couldn't believe it. That was so unfair. That young man (Thomas) deserved life sentence. And you (the lawyer) what were nonsense were you saying in court? If you wer the murdered girl's parent how would you feel? What kind of a lawyer are you who represents Satanism," said one Cecilia Gambe.
Another Mutare resident who was also part o the court proceedings said Zvapanganwa would be a threat when released from prison.
"Zvapanganwa is not alone. He is working with others (Satanists) and he is really a threat. Come 20 years, he will be back with us, either a changed person or a practicing Satanist. He should have received at least 40 years imprisonment, that would be better," she said.
Taremeredzwa's father, Mr Lloyd Marere said he accepted the verdict, but a harsher sentence would have been appropriate.
"We do not have control over these things. The judge saw it fit and there is nothing we can do about it. Besides, whatever judgment, it cannot bring back my daughter. However a harsher sentence would have been better," he said.
Zvapanganwa, who lost both parents, was once housed at a local children's home before he went to another Orphanage in Bulawayo where he was initiated into Satanism.
The mob, which was mainly composed of women, threatened to undress in protest as they uttered unprintable words to the legal practitioner, Mr Fungai Kuzinya of Henning Lock Legal Practitioners for defending Satanism through his representation of Zvanganwa whom some sections of the community expected to get a life sentence for the heinous murder of Grade Six girl Taremeredzwa Marere last year.
Zvapanganwa was sentenced to 20 years for murdering the 12-year-old Hillcrest Preparatory School pupil when he appeared before High Court Judge Justice Susan Mavangira in a packed court last Friday.
The incensed crowd argued that the sentence was too lenient for a cold blood murderer, who cut Taremeredzwa Marere's throat, crushed her head with a toilet cistern lead three times, till she released blood mixed with form, which he sucked. They said Taremeredzwa died a painful death and Zvapanganwa deserved at least life imprisonment or face the hangman's noose.
"We couldn't believe it. That was so unfair. That young man (Thomas) deserved life sentence. And you (the lawyer) what were nonsense were you saying in court? If you wer the murdered girl's parent how would you feel? What kind of a lawyer are you who represents Satanism," said one Cecilia Gambe.
Another Mutare resident who was also part o the court proceedings said Zvapanganwa would be a threat when released from prison.
"Zvapanganwa is not alone. He is working with others (Satanists) and he is really a threat. Come 20 years, he will be back with us, either a changed person or a practicing Satanist. He should have received at least 40 years imprisonment, that would be better," she said.
Taremeredzwa's father, Mr Lloyd Marere said he accepted the verdict, but a harsher sentence would have been appropriate.
"We do not have control over these things. The judge saw it fit and there is nothing we can do about it. Besides, whatever judgment, it cannot bring back my daughter. However a harsher sentence would have been better," he said.
Zvapanganwa, who lost both parents, was once housed at a local children's home before he went to another Orphanage in Bulawayo where he was initiated into Satanism.
Source - News
