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Avenging spirit forces murderer to hand himself to the police
16 Jun 2015 at 08:26hrs | Views
An avenging spirit forced a Masvingo man, who stabbed his colleague to death over $20 before fleeing to South Africa, to surrender himself to the police, a court heard.
Appearing before High Court Judge Justice Francis Bere in Masvingo circuit on Saturday Naboth Macheke, 26, of Hillside pleaded not guilty to stabbing Tachiwanda Chiminya, 29, to death with a home-made kitchen knife.
Justice Bere, however, convicted Macheke and sentenced him to 18 years in jail for murder with constructive intent.
Macheke who was represented pro deo by Collins Maboke told the court he was tormented by Chiminya's spirit while in South Africa until he handed himself in to police in that country.
He said the SA police later handed him over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at the Beitbridge Border post.
"After I'd managed to escape to South Africa, I didn't have peace because at night I would be continuously visited by unknown spirits. I feared I would go mad so I surrendered myself to the police to come and face the law," said Macheke in his evidence in chief.
In passing sentence Justice Bere said he had taken into account extenuating circumstances.
"The court has accepted the fact that the accused was still a youth when he committed the offence," said Justice Bere.
He said the court also considered that Macheke surrendered himself to the police after skipping the border to South Africa.
However, in aggravation, Justice Bere said the court should execute its mandate of sending a clear message that society abhors use of violence in resolving disputes especially among youths.
"A young life was lost over a $20 in aggravating circumstances. The court is mandated to uphold and respect the sanctity of life because once it's lost it won't be recovered."
"Cases of murder where a knife is used to resolve disputes are on the increase, we should teach youths to refrain from using dangerous weapons such as knives. We can't be a country of knives. A sentence of 18 years is appropriate as it gives the accused the opportunity to return into the society, a reformed person," he said.
Prosecuting Elson Chavarika said in October 2013 Macheke stabbed his colleague, Chiminya to death following an argument over $20.
The court heard Chiminya and Macheke drank beer together the previous night and Chiminya accused his friend of stealing $20 from him the following morning.
Macheke denied stealing the money and the row degenerated into a fight.
"Macheke produced a knife and stabbed Chiminya once below the left ear and then fled from the scene.
Chiminya was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital where he was sutured and discharged on the same day.
While at home, the court heard, Chiminya's condition deteriorated and he was rushed back to the hospital where he was re-admitted but later died.
A medical report which was availed in court showed that Chiminya died of internal (intracranial) bleeding secondary to stabbing.
A manhunt for Macheke was launched leading to his arrest in December, 2013 when he surrendered himself to the SA police.
Appearing before High Court Judge Justice Francis Bere in Masvingo circuit on Saturday Naboth Macheke, 26, of Hillside pleaded not guilty to stabbing Tachiwanda Chiminya, 29, to death with a home-made kitchen knife.
Justice Bere, however, convicted Macheke and sentenced him to 18 years in jail for murder with constructive intent.
Macheke who was represented pro deo by Collins Maboke told the court he was tormented by Chiminya's spirit while in South Africa until he handed himself in to police in that country.
He said the SA police later handed him over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at the Beitbridge Border post.
"After I'd managed to escape to South Africa, I didn't have peace because at night I would be continuously visited by unknown spirits. I feared I would go mad so I surrendered myself to the police to come and face the law," said Macheke in his evidence in chief.
In passing sentence Justice Bere said he had taken into account extenuating circumstances.
"The court has accepted the fact that the accused was still a youth when he committed the offence," said Justice Bere.
He said the court also considered that Macheke surrendered himself to the police after skipping the border to South Africa.
However, in aggravation, Justice Bere said the court should execute its mandate of sending a clear message that society abhors use of violence in resolving disputes especially among youths.
"A young life was lost over a $20 in aggravating circumstances. The court is mandated to uphold and respect the sanctity of life because once it's lost it won't be recovered."
"Cases of murder where a knife is used to resolve disputes are on the increase, we should teach youths to refrain from using dangerous weapons such as knives. We can't be a country of knives. A sentence of 18 years is appropriate as it gives the accused the opportunity to return into the society, a reformed person," he said.
Prosecuting Elson Chavarika said in October 2013 Macheke stabbed his colleague, Chiminya to death following an argument over $20.
The court heard Chiminya and Macheke drank beer together the previous night and Chiminya accused his friend of stealing $20 from him the following morning.
Macheke denied stealing the money and the row degenerated into a fight.
"Macheke produced a knife and stabbed Chiminya once below the left ear and then fled from the scene.
Chiminya was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital where he was sutured and discharged on the same day.
While at home, the court heard, Chiminya's condition deteriorated and he was rushed back to the hospital where he was re-admitted but later died.
A medical report which was availed in court showed that Chiminya died of internal (intracranial) bleeding secondary to stabbing.
A manhunt for Macheke was launched leading to his arrest in December, 2013 when he surrendered himself to the SA police.
Source - chronicle
