Judge Laments Rise in Domestic Violence Murders

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Chief Reporter

A High Court of Zimbabwe judge has expressed concern over the continued rise in murders resulting from domestic violence, despite efforts to curb the trend.

In a recent sentencing judgment, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi lamented that all efforts to stem such murders are going to waste as the violence persists unabated.

"In our main judgment, we lamented the fact that all efforts to stem murders resulting from domestic violence are going to naught because the violence continues unabated," he said.

The judge's comments came as he sentenced Wellington Gwashure to 20 years in prison for murdering his wife. The court found that Gwashure had used gratuitous violence against his wife, causing severe injuries that led to her death.

According to the court's findings, Wellington Gwashure murdered his wife using gratuitous violence. He attacked her with wooden switches, booted feet, and clenched fists, causing severe injuries that led to her death.

The switches broke into pieces during the assault, and the victim's body was left with multiple injuries, including a lacerated scalp and ruptured eyes. After killing his wife, Gwashure placed their toddler beside the body and covered them both with the same blanket.

Justice Mutevedzi noted that the murder was another statistic in the rising trend of domestic violence-related murders. He emphasized that the courts must pass sentences that send a strong message to would-be offenders that severe punishments will be meted out to those who take the life of another.

The judge also expressed disappointment with the defense counsel's submissions, which he deemed "weird" and based on repealed provisions of the law. He emphasized the importance of legal practitioners keeping abreast of developments in the law to ensure that justice is served.

The court found that the murder was committed under aggravating circumstances, warranting a sentence of 20 years in prison.