TWO robbers have been jailed for life for killing a diamond
dealer at his house in Chiadzwa, last year.
Mutare High Court judge, Justice Hlekani Mwayera, sentenced
Marcos Madhume and Thomas Mike Makoni Nyakujara to life in prison after they
killed Blessing Chikwangura of Kusena Village under Chief Marange.
Madhume and Nyakujara denied the murder charges when they
initially appeared in court claiming that they were under the influence of
alcohol when they committed the offence.
But Justice Mwayera, in her judgment, said the two decided
to drink beer before committing the crime to get “Dutch courage” hence they
were fully in control of their mental faculties.
She said considering the manner in which the duo committed
the offence and their criminal record, they did not deserve a place in the
society.
“The accused, in an unrelenting manner ruthlessly and
cruelly fired an avalanche of bullets into the deceased even as he tried to
make good his escape as evidenced by injuries to his back,” said justice
Mwayera when sentencing the pair.
“Further, even after the fatal blow, the accused were
undeterred as they ransacked the deceased’s house and stole a Samsung phone and
tablet. Such callous and unrelenting behaviour ought to be visited with
corresponding punishment to deter not only accused persons, but like-minded
people. The gravity of the offence, the manner in which it was perpetrated by
the duo who showed determination in achieving the unlawful enterprise call for
severe punishment. It shows the accused are a nuisance to society and this
calls for their removal from the society, she said.
Justice Mwayera said Madhume and Nyakujara, who are
childhood friends, showed no remorse and exhibited a carefree attitude during
their trial.
“This is a matter where the death penalty would have been
warranted as they stand convicted of murder in aggravatory circumstances, that
is murder during the course of an armed robbery,” said justice Mwayera.
Circumstances leading to the pair’s arrest were that
sometime early last year, they hatched a plan to commit a spate of robberies.
They stole a Star pistol from one Mohammed in Marondera and
travelled to Marange. On February 2, 2017, Madhume and Nyakudyara went to
Chikwangura’s homestead where he was running a shebeen and dealing in diamonds
and started drinking beer during the day.
At around midnight, they approached Chikwangura and started
demanding diamonds and cash.
Chikwangura resisted and armed himself with a machete. Madhume
and Nyakujara then forced their way into Chikwangura’s house and shot him
before ransacking it.
They went away with $3 000 and cellphones. The two were
later arrested and taken to court. Herald
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