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Midlands Bureau
A 22-year-old man from Shurugwi was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing a fellow imbiber who poured beer on his head as part of a birthday celebration at a night club.

Givemore Chitoro of 550 ZBS, Shurugwi, who initially had been charged with murder was convicted of culpable homicide when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Francis Bere on Circuit in Gweru. Chitoro will, however, serve eight years effective, after Justice Bere suspended two years on condition of good behaviour. In his judgement, Justice Bere considered that the crime was committed in the wee hours of the morning, saying it was highly likely that both parties were highly intoxicated.

“Chitoro pleaded guilty to the charge and thus did not waste the court’s time. However, members of the community should desist from using violence as a way of solving their disputes and courts must pass stiffer penalties to deter would be offenders from committing such crimes. You are, therefore, sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which two years are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” he said.

Prosecuting, Mr Mirirai Shumba said on July 2 last year at around 1am, Chitoro and Tinashe Mugauri were at Manyengura Nite Club at Mambowa Business Centre, Shurugwi, drinking beer.

He said it was Chitoro’s birthday. The court heard that Chitoro had an altercation with Mugauri after he poured some beer on his head as a way of celebrating his birthday. Mr Shumba said a misunderstanding ensued and Chitoro pulled out a knife and stabbed Mugauri once on the neck before he fled from the scene. Mugauri was ferried to Shurugwi District Hospital where he died on admission.