THE daughter of a 63-year-old Chiwundura man, who was fatally struck with a log by his neighbour following a dispute over stray cattle, has approached the courts to appeal against the “lenient” sentence handed on the killer.
by Stephen Chadenga
Letwin Garatiya of Chinyama village under Chief Gambiza assaulted Tinos Magedhi after the latter’s cattle had strayed into her vegetable garden on August 26 last year. Magedhi later succumbed to the assault injuries.
Garatiya was last week convicted of culpable homicide by Gweru regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire and sentenced to a wholly-suspended five-year jail term on condition she performs 525 hours of community service at Muchakata Clinic.
This prompted Magedhi’s daughter, Farai Muruvi through her lawyers, Ambrose Dururu and Associates to appeal the sentence at the Gweru Magistrates Court.
“Our client is seeking your assistance to appeal the sentence handed by regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire in the above mentioned case (State vs Letwin Garatiya CR 38/08/16,” reads part of the letter dated July 19 and addressed to the area public prosecutor.
“We are further advised that the offence was committed in aggravating circumstances which suffice to justify incarceration at the expense of community service. Our client was not satisfied with the decision of the court.”
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing at the High Court.
