A 38-YEAR-OLD Nkayi man was on Friday sentenced to death for stabbing his wife to death with a spear after accusing her of having an extramarital affair with her ex-husband.
NOKUTHABA DLAMINI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Jethias Mangisi of Madoda village pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo on circuit in Hwange on Friday.
Prosecutor Matirai Ngwasha, said on December 11 2012 at night, Mangisi who was on separation with his wife, visited his in-laws’ homestead in Mateme in Nkayi.
Armed with a spear and a hammer, Mangisi stormed into the bedroom hut where his wife Shamiso Runete (28) was sleeping together with her young sister Innocentia.
The two had an argument with Mangisi accusing Runete of having an affair with her ex-husband based in Botswana.
Mangisi assaulted Runete on the lower part of the right ear with a claw hammer and stabbed her once with a spear on the lower part of her left breast and she died instantly.
As he tried to flee from the scene, he met Runete’s mother Neliah Ncube who had been awoken by her daughter’s screams.
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Mangisi struck Ncube twice on the on the upper shoulder and on the right arm before making good his escape.
Pro deo lawyer Givemore Muvhiringi of Dube and Partners said Mangisi did not kill his wife intentionally, but had gone to discuss the woman’s infidelity.
Muvhiringi said Mangisi lost his cool after Runete poured water over him. He said the woman stabbed herself by mistake as her husband tried to seize the spear from her.
However, Justice Moyo said there was no evidence supporting Mangisi’s defence and indications were that the murder was premeditated.
“The defence is overwhelming, but it lacks evidence and therefore the court finds you guilty of murder with an actual intent therefore the death penalty will be a fit sentence,” the judge said.
