MUTARE — A Buhera man, who allegedly hacked another villager to death for reportedly attempting to effect a citizen’s arrest on him after he had stolen some property and attempted to flee will now hang for the offence.
The man Aaron Masongo (29) hacked to death Ishmael Chingwende by striking him in the middle of his head with a hoe. Masongo had allegedly stolen some property in the village and attempted to flee.
High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa on Friday condemned Masongo to death for the offence which allegedly occurred on September 8 last year and described his behaviour as barbaric.
On September 8 last year in Chatikobo village under Chief Chimombe, Masongo stole various items from one homestead.
Alert villagers saw him with the loot and ganged up to arrest him.
They gave chase in the hope that they would hand him over to police upon apprehension.
On realising the villagers were hot on his heels, Masongo dropped the loot and fled, but the villagers continued to pursue him.
As villagers were about to catch him, the court heard he grabbed a hoe from a nearby home and threatened to strike anyone who approached him.
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Masongo suddenly stopped and charged towards the villagers with the intention of attacking them using the hoe.
The other villagers fled, but Chingwende who was leading the pack slipped and fell as he tried to cross a stream.
Masongo drew nearer and fatally struck him on the head.
A post-mortem report produced in court confirmed Chingwende succumbed to the head injury.
Judge Musakwa advised Masongo to apply to the Supreme Court if he wished to contest the sentence.
Jane-Rose Matsikidze represented the State.
