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Tenant killer jailed for life
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A 30-year-old Harare man who brutally murdered his father's tenant before stealing his car and property worth US$8 000 has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday spared Simbarashe Chimuka the death penalty but imposed a life sentence after ruling that the murder was premeditated and carried out with extreme brutality.
Chimuka was convicted of killing Clemence Chitete on November 5, 2014, at number 83 Blakeway Drive in Belvedere, Harare, where the deceased was renting a cottage from the accused's father.
During the trial, Prosecutor-General's representative Tapiwa Kasema told the court that Chimuka unlawfully gained entry into the property by scaling a precast wall and breaking the kitchen door of the cottage.
Once inside, Chimuka launched a vicious attack on Chitete, repeatedly striking him with a stone and bricks before scalding him with a hot electric iron. The assault left the victim with severe head injuries and extensive burns, which later proved fatal.
After killing Chitete, Chimuka looted the cottage, stealing a 32-inch television set, two mobile phones, an HP laptop and a Toyota Corolla, registration number ADE 5146, before fleeing the scene.
The court heard that Chimuka was arrested two days later in Victoria Falls as he attempted to escape to Zambia. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of the deceased's neck chain, driver's licence and house keys.
Following his arrest, Chimuka led police to the recovery of the stolen vehicle, laptop and mobile phones, as well as a blood-stained brick used in the attack and the clothes he had been wearing during the commission of the offence.
He also made indications at the crime scene, demonstrating to investigators how he carried out the fatal attack before fleeing with the victim's property.
In handing down sentence, Justice Chitapi said the manner in which the crime was committed showed clear intent to kill, warranting the harshest punishment short of the death sentence.
High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday spared Simbarashe Chimuka the death penalty but imposed a life sentence after ruling that the murder was premeditated and carried out with extreme brutality.
Chimuka was convicted of killing Clemence Chitete on November 5, 2014, at number 83 Blakeway Drive in Belvedere, Harare, where the deceased was renting a cottage from the accused's father.
During the trial, Prosecutor-General's representative Tapiwa Kasema told the court that Chimuka unlawfully gained entry into the property by scaling a precast wall and breaking the kitchen door of the cottage.
Once inside, Chimuka launched a vicious attack on Chitete, repeatedly striking him with a stone and bricks before scalding him with a hot electric iron. The assault left the victim with severe head injuries and extensive burns, which later proved fatal.
After killing Chitete, Chimuka looted the cottage, stealing a 32-inch television set, two mobile phones, an HP laptop and a Toyota Corolla, registration number ADE 5146, before fleeing the scene.
The court heard that Chimuka was arrested two days later in Victoria Falls as he attempted to escape to Zambia. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of the deceased's neck chain, driver's licence and house keys.
Following his arrest, Chimuka led police to the recovery of the stolen vehicle, laptop and mobile phones, as well as a blood-stained brick used in the attack and the clothes he had been wearing during the commission of the offence.
He also made indications at the crime scene, demonstrating to investigators how he carried out the fatal attack before fleeing with the victim's property.
In handing down sentence, Justice Chitapi said the manner in which the crime was committed showed clear intent to kill, warranting the harshest punishment short of the death sentence.
Source - newsday
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