Man fatally assaults boy over groundnuts

A 31-year-old man from Gokwe has been slapped with a six-year-jail sentence following his conviction for culpable homicide after he fatally assaulted a 16-year-old boy for stealing his groundnuts.

Nicholas Mpofu of Muzondiwa Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe North appeared before High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva in Gweru facing culpable homicide charges.

Mpofu was yesterday convicted and sentenced to six years in prison but Justice Takuva suspended two years on condition of good behaviour, the Chronicle reported.

Prosecutor Shepherd Mafa had told the court that on September 24 2008, the now deceased Ishmael Dzingirai and his friend, Absolom Mupandawana, stole groundnuts from Mpofu's homestead.

Mpofu tracked the boys for 7km and found them the next day eating the groundnuts.

Mafa told the court that Mpofu assaulted the two boys with a stick after which he force-marched the duo back to his home.

As they walked he periodically and randomly assaulted them with a stick.

Mafa said on arrival at the village, the deceased fell to the ground and died due to injuries sustained as a result of the assault.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Mpofu's arrest.