By A Correspondent- A man from Mucheke in Masvingo will spend the next 20 years in jail after the High Court found him guilty of stabbing to death a tout over a $1 he had failed to pay.
Robert Mabhadho (39) stabbed Vengai Mariwo who was 31 when he met his fate in 2010, in the chest and left arm while the pair were drinking beer at Mundondo Beer Hall following a dispute over $1 that Mabhadho was supposed to pay for the tout’s pushcart service.
Mabhadho had hired the deceased’s pushcart but failed to pay for the services rendered, the court was told.
Appearing before Justice Garainesu Mawadze at Masvingo High Court early last week Mabhadho who was represented pro-deo by Mr Emmanuel Mudarikwa denied having stabbed the deceased to death but due to overwhelming evidence he was found guilty of murder with actual intent and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Delivering sentence Justice Mawadze said the accused’s actions were unjustifiable and he deserved sterner punishment.
“What you did was never justifiable and you deserve sterner sentence. There is no rationale in killing someone over a $1. I therefore send you to jail for the next 20 years,” said Justice Mawadze.
Prosecutor, Mr Mike Tembo told the court that sometime in September 2010, Mabhadho, a fellow tout hired a pushcart from Mariwo as he wanted to use it for a piece job.
Mariwo then gave him the pushcart on condition that he would give him $1 for the service and they agreed.
Later, the pair then met at Mundondo Beer Hall and Mariwo demanded his money from Mabhadho.
This did not go down well with Mabhadho and a fight ensued but Mabhadho was overpowered.
Sensing danger, Mabhadho suddenly took out an Okapi knife from his pocket before stabbing his victim on the right side of chest and left arm before fleeing.
Mariwo collapsed and died on the spot.
A report was made at Chikato Police leading to Mabhadho’s arrest at his home in Mucheke.
The body of Mariwo was then taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
The report indicated that Mariwo died of haemorrhagic shock and stab wound.
-StateMedia