A man from Inyathi who fatally stabbed another man that he had caught in bed with his wife on August 5, 2018, has been convicted of culpable homicide.
Kudzai Ncube (26) pleaded not guilty to murder and was convicted of the lesser charge (culpable homicide).
Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Makonese was on a circuit in Hwange last week when he sentenced Ncube to 10 years in jail, but he will serve an effective 7 years after 3 years were suspended conditionally.
In passing the sentence, Justice Makonese noted a spike in crimes of passion. He said:
Crimes of passion have increased, a development which is of great concern to us. The courts must not send messages of self-help to dispute.
While the court cannot take an armchair approach, it is also the court’s feeling that one would rather lose a wife or husband than take away a life.
Accused ought to have used other means to resolve the dispute. However, he took matters into his own hands resulting in the loss of life. Therefore the court will impose a sentence that will balance the interests of justice.