It is the third time that judge Kamocha has given such a sentence for accused people from Mberengwa. In 2013 he sent to death Kudakwashe Mtetwa (28) of Chikwangwadza village after he had murdered his father and half-brother. Last year, a former soldier, Desire Dhewa, was also sent to the hangman for killing two minors in the area.
In the latest case, prosecutor Samuel Pedzisai said on the 20th September 2013 accused was at homestead in the company of deceased minor and her mother.
He asked the now deceased child to accompany him to collect firewood in the bush despite pleas by the toddler’s mother not to take her there.
When they were in the bush accused raped the little girl before he assaulted her with an unknown object all over the body until she fell unconscious.
He then carried her back to the homestead where he lay her in a bedroom hut but lied to his wife that she had suffered from epileptic seizures.
The minor succumbed to the assault later on the same day and accused arranged to have her secretly buried in Nkomonye village under Chief Nyamhondo, Mberengwa without notifying police.
The village head in the area however became suspicious and reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person.
A medical examination concluded the cause of death could not be ascertained due to decomposition but indicated a lacerated rectum and sexual abuse.
In his judgement, judge Kamocha said the accused committed the crime under aggravating circumstances and only capital punishment would be proper in the circumstances.
Post published in: Human Rights