A BEITBRIDGE man, who waylaid a 65-year- old flea market trader in the driveway of her house in the border town before fatally stabbing the woman and robbing her of two
cellphones, was yesterday sentenced to death by hanging.

Maxwell Chadiwa (25) of Dulivhadzimu suburb pounced on Ms Muchaziva Gonorashe while she was about to leave her house in Dulivhadzimu suburb for Musina, South Africa, in the early hours and stabbed her with an okapi knife.
He was arrested after police tracked the victim’s stolen mobile phone to another person who subsequently led detectives to the accused person.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva convicted Chadiwa of murder with actual intent.
In his judgment, Justice Takuva ruled that the murder was committed in aggravating circumstances.
“It is clear that the accused person acted with an actual intent. Looking at the depth of the wound it is evident that excessive force was used. We are satisfied that the murder was committed in aggravating circumstances,” said the judge.
Justice Takuva said the courts have a duty to protect the sanctity of human life.
“Serious crimes call for the courts to be retributive in passing sentences as opposed to taking a rehabilitative approach. Lenience in such circumstances would not reflect the
core principles of sentencing as the courts have a duty to uphold the sanctity of human life,” he said.Chronicle