Man jailed for 2 decades for murdering rival suitor

A Gweru man who fatally stabbed a rival suitor with a knife following a fight over a girlfriend two years ago has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by Acting Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Meshack Cheda.

Taurai Takavada Mungwami (26) who was jointly charged with three others namely, Oliver Mbizi (21), Brighton Govere (23) and Ephraim Maphosa (26) had pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

Justice Cheda, sitting with assessors Messrs Jameson Lex Dhlula and Wellington Takawira Matemba, found Mungwami guilty of murder with constructive intent.

The other three, Mbizi, Govere and Maphosa were acquitted after both the State and defence counsel managed to prove that Mungwami, who had a knife on the fateful day, was responsible for the stabbing of the now deceased, Rangarirai Makore, who was 26 years old at the time of his death.

Mr Wilfred Mehlo of Mabukwa and partners represented Mungwami while Mr Innocent Hore of Hore and Partners represented Mbizi. Mr Liberty Mashanyare of Masawi and Partners represented Govere while Mr Herbert Tafa of Tafa and Partners law firm represented Maphosa.

All represented the accused pro deo.

For the State, Mr Samuel Pedzisai said on 24 March 2010, the now deceased, Makore, was drinking beer at Mpambadzire Nightclub together with his four friends.

Mr Pedzisai said while enjoying beer in the night club, Mungwami, who was among the patrons, then confronted the now deceased whom he accused of snatching his girlfriend, one Winnet Chirasha, who was a bar lady at that time.

The court heard that a misunderstanding between Mungwami and the now deceased then ensued resulting in the now deceased’s friends joining in.

Mr Pedzisai said Mbizi, Govere and Maphosa then joined in on the side of Mungwami resulting in two rival groups emerging in the argument.

The court heard that the two groups then started fighting forcing the night club to close.

Mr Pedzisai said while outside, the rival groups started throwing empty bottles and stones at each other forcing the now deceased’s group to retreat.

He said as the now deceased and company fled, Mungwami and his accomplices followed suit.

Mr Pedzisai said Mungwami, who was armed with a knife, then aimed his charges at the now deceased Makore.

He said Mungwami caught up with the now deceased and stabbed him once on the back with a knife.

Makore collapsed and died on the spot.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Mungwami and his three accomplices.

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