BULAWAYO High Court Judge Justice Lawrence Kamocha on Tuesday dismissed an application for permanent stay of prosecution by a Kezi man who allegedly axed his wife to death 12 years ago. Richard Muponde Senior Court REPORTER
Vincent Dube (39), of Ratanyana under Chief Nyangazonke, had applied that his trial be stayed permanently, arguing that it had taken too long for the State to try him and if the case were to go ahead, it would be prejudicial to him.
However, Justice Kamocha dismissed Dube’s application, concurring with the State, represented by Whisper Mabhaudi, that there was no prejudice on Dube because the lapse of time was not of the State’s making.
He ordered that Dube go for trial. In his submissions, Mabhaudi said the court risked losing credibility if it granted the application, considering the gravity of the offence.
He lamented the delay in completing murder cases at the Bulawayo High Court.
Dube allegedly struck his wife, Memory Nobukhosi Ndlovu, with an axe twice, leading to her death. He had suspected the wife of having an affair with a local teacher.
After committing the offence, he went into hiding and only resurfaced early this early, leading to his arrest.
