News / National
Hooker jailed for stabbing client snatcher
14 Mar 2014 at 13:41hrs | Views
A 23-YEAR-old Chipinge lady-of-the-night stunned the court on Tuesday by claiming that she stabbed her neighbour because she was in the habit of snatching some of her clients who would be queueing for her services.
Tendai Ngwenyama of ZBS Section of Gaza appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Clemence Ngweshiwa for contravening Section 89 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 (assault).
She pleaded guilty to the charges. Tendai told the court that the complainant, Christine Hazvineyi Mlambo (30), who was her neighbour, was in the habit of snatching her clients who flocked to her residence seeking her ''good services''.
She said what angered her to the extent of stabbing the complainant with a knife was that Christine had snatched her permanent client from Mutare who had visited while she was having quality time with another client in her room.
"Your Worship, I beg for forgiveness because it was not my intention to stab the complainant. The complainant snatched some of my clients who frequent my lodgings for my services. What happened on this day is that my permanent client from Mutare, who always rescues me when business is low, visited while I was having quality time with another client.
"The complainant took advantage of this and told him falsehoods. She ended up bedding him. The complainant knows very well that she is not attractive compared to me - a reason why she has fewer clients. Her business fortunes are on a freefall, a reason why she opted to be a 'client snatcher'," she said.
Prosecuting, Mr Brian Madzura said on January 26 at around 3pm, Tendai proceeded to Christine's house and accused her of being a rumour monger as well as "client snatcher".
He said a misunderstanding arose between the duo and the accused person went on to use force to open Christine's door.
"While inside, she produced a knife and stabbed the complainant two times on the head. The complainant sustained two deep cuts and had to seek medical attention," said Mr Madzura.
In sentencing her, Mr Ngweshiwa said what the accused did was unacceptable in solving disputes.
He said cases of using machetes and other dangerous weapons in Chipinge were now out of hand and the courts should come up with deterrent sentences.
"Usually the courts are lenient on first female offenders, but the use of dangerous weapons is on the rise in Chipinge, hence there should be an early warning to warn those harbouring the thoughts of committing similar offences.
"The court also put into consideration that using a knife and stabbing the complainant twice at her residence is a sign that the accused is a criminal and her intention was to kill, hence a custodial sentence is necessary," he said.
Mr Ngweshiwa sentenced Tendai to 36 months in jail, while 18 months were set aside for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
She pleaded guilty to the charges. Tendai told the court that the complainant, Christine Hazvineyi Mlambo (30), who was her neighbour, was in the habit of snatching her clients who flocked to her residence seeking her ''good services''.
She said what angered her to the extent of stabbing the complainant with a knife was that Christine had snatched her permanent client from Mutare who had visited while she was having quality time with another client in her room.
"Your Worship, I beg for forgiveness because it was not my intention to stab the complainant. The complainant snatched some of my clients who frequent my lodgings for my services. What happened on this day is that my permanent client from Mutare, who always rescues me when business is low, visited while I was having quality time with another client.
"The complainant took advantage of this and told him falsehoods. She ended up bedding him. The complainant knows very well that she is not attractive compared to me - a reason why she has fewer clients. Her business fortunes are on a freefall, a reason why she opted to be a 'client snatcher'," she said.
Prosecuting, Mr Brian Madzura said on January 26 at around 3pm, Tendai proceeded to Christine's house and accused her of being a rumour monger as well as "client snatcher".
He said a misunderstanding arose between the duo and the accused person went on to use force to open Christine's door.
"While inside, she produced a knife and stabbed the complainant two times on the head. The complainant sustained two deep cuts and had to seek medical attention," said Mr Madzura.
In sentencing her, Mr Ngweshiwa said what the accused did was unacceptable in solving disputes.
He said cases of using machetes and other dangerous weapons in Chipinge were now out of hand and the courts should come up with deterrent sentences.
"Usually the courts are lenient on first female offenders, but the use of dangerous weapons is on the rise in Chipinge, hence there should be an early warning to warn those harbouring the thoughts of committing similar offences.
"The court also put into consideration that using a knife and stabbing the complainant twice at her residence is a sign that the accused is a criminal and her intention was to kill, hence a custodial sentence is necessary," he said.
Mr Ngweshiwa sentenced Tendai to 36 months in jail, while 18 months were set aside for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Source - online
