The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent—
FOR KILLING his business partner with a hammer over a $20 debt, a Dangamvura builder has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by High Court judge, Justice Hlekani Mwayera.Christopher Piwa (46) had pleaded not guilty to the murder but the court convicted him after the State led evidence that warranted a conviction.
He was charged with murder as defined in Section 47 (1) (a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
The court heard that sometime in 2017, Piwa won a contract to construct a three bedroomed house in Destiny and he charged $240.
Piwa however gave the contract to the deceased, Taurai Nyakunu whom he asked to pay him $40.
Upon completion the deceased gave Piwa $20 and remained with a balance of $20 which he promised to pay later.
On August 4, the suspect made a follow up to get his balance but the deceased told him that he did not have the money. This did not go down well with Piwa.
He became furious, dragged the deceased and then struck him with a hammer on the head. The deceased fell to the ground and became unconscious.
Piwa then disappeared from the scene.
The deceased was rushed to the hospital where he died upon admission.
In his defense, Piwa told the court that the deceased had poked him with his index finger on his forehead threatening to assault him.
He told the court that deceased died on his own after he fell to the ground while assaulting him.
However, a post mortem result produced in court revealed the hammer attack.
Public prosecutor, Mr Jonathan Chingwinyiso represented the State.
