Three family members jailed for torturing a suspected thief until he defecated

A Harare magistrate has described as 'barbaric' how some Budiriro family members tortured a man they suspected of being a thief until he defecated.

Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi was outraged when Amos Alumembe, Chapira Alumembe and Daisy Alumembe were brought before him. He slapped Amos and Chapira with a seven year jail term before setting aside one year for five years on condition of good behaviour. Daisy, Amos' daughter whom the court said had to get a lighter sentence as compared to the duo was slapped with a four year jail term before the court set aside two years. All the accused were also ordered to compensate David Banga $540 for medical expenses which he incurred.

"Though the need to preserve the sanctity of human life should not be overemphasised, the court cannot sit back and watch while innocent people are being butchered. What the accused did shows barbarism," said magistrate Mutevedzi.

He said it was fortunate that that the complainant had survived the attack after being burnt with electric cables until he defecated. The court added that one cannot look twice at the patterns made by a welding machine on the complainant's back.

Despite the trio's denial when the case opened, State led by prosecutor Rufaro Mhandu Mudheredhe led overwhelming evidence leading to the three's conviction. The three had burnt David with candles and electric cables which were connected to a welding machine in August 2010 after David was suspected to have broken into the Alubembe's family home where he allegedly stole property. He was attacked by the trio with iron bars and they went on to torture him with candles.

The trio then subjected David to some electric shock by burning him with electric cables which were connected to a welding machine. 

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