In a shocking verdict that has left the nation in disbelief, Chenjerai Mandiziva, a 43-year-old resident of Edward Farm Plot 27, Shurugwi, has been sentenced to a mere three years in jail for the tragic killing of his 13-year-old son, Takunda John Mandiziva. The incident, fueled by gossip, has raised questions about the adequacy of justice in such cases.
The source reports that the heart-wrenching event unfolded on November 8, 2022, at the family’s residence in Edward Farm, Plot 27. Chenjerai Mandiziva overheard his son, Takunda, talking to his stepmother, Berita Mapiye, about his father’s alleged infidelity. Fueled by anger and a desire to silence the gossip, Mandiziva resorted to violence.
According to witnesses, Mandiziva lashed out at Takunda, beating him mercilessly with a switch. Despite the boy’s pleas, the violence did not stop. In a desperate attempt to cool down, Takunda asked his father to pour water on him. Tragically, the situation worsened, and the boy later succumbed to his injuries.
During the trial, the court learned that Takunda’s autopsy revealed internal injuries, including blood clots in his liver, kidneys, and lungs, leading to his death from traumatic shock and abdominal trauma. The gravity of the injuries should have warranted more severe punishment.
In what many perceive as a miscarriage of justice, High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda sentenced Mandiziva to just three years in prison. Even more puzzling was the suspension of one year from the sentence, meaning that the convicted man will serve a mere two years behind bars.
The Cry for Justice
The community and human rights activists have expressed their outrage at the sentencing, calling it a mockery of justice. “A life has been taken, and all that is served is a meagre sentence? This is a failure of our justice system,” exclaimed Sarah Nyathi, a local activist.
Mandiziva’s defence claimed culpable homicide, arguing that the killing was unintentional. However, many believe that the severity of the beating indicates a clear intent to harm, if not worse.
This heart-rending case has reignited the debate on sentencing guidelines for cases involving domestic violence and the loss of innocent lives. Calls for reform are echoing throughout the country, urging lawmakers and legal authorities to revisit their approach to such cases.
As the nation grapples with this tragic incident, one can only hope that Takunda’s death will not be in vain and that justice will prevail in future cases, sparing other families the pain of a similar outcome.
Source iHararem
