Man kills wife over stash of used condoms, ARVs

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Zim Now Writer

A Gweru security guard was sentenced to eight years in jail for assaulting his wife to death after discovering used condom and antiretroviral drugs in their house.

Frank Padzi,37, of Woodlands Phase 2, was convicted of culpable homicide by Bulawayo High court judge Justice Martin Makonese for causing the death of his wife, Chiedza Tarwireyi,26, on December 24, 2020.

Padzi assaulted his wife with a baton all over the body resulting in her death.

Justice Makonese said the courts frowned upon such actions and had a duty to uphold the sanctity of life.

“The court finds the accused guilty of the murder of his wife and is accordingly sentenced to eight years in prison. Crimes of passion are on the increase and as courts, we have to pass stiffer penalties.

“Padzi was negligent in his actions by taking the law into his own hands leading to Tarwireyi’s death,” she said.

In his defence, Padzi argued that it was not his intention to kill his wife.

Prosecuting, Ms Linah Mamombe said the accused arrived at home drunk from work on the evening of December 24, 2020, when he discovered used condoms in his matrimonial room. An argument then started.

“The accused knocked on his door but his wife delayed opening it. Upon opening the door, a misunderstanding arose between the two. ARV tablets and used condoms were discovered by accused in their bedroom.

“Padzi took a baton and started assaulting his wife all over the body before they retired to bed. When he woke up the following morning at around 0600am, he discovered that his wife was not breathing,” Mamombe said.

Padzi informed a fellow tenant and his sister in-law before jumping over the fence and disappearing. He was arrested after a search.