Man gets 10 years for killing ex’s new lover

Zim Now Writer

A Mutasa man who murdered his ex-wife’s boyfriend has been jailed for 10 years.

Daniel Gumbu, 40, was convicted of murder by Mutare High Court Judge, Justice Isaac Muzenda, as defined in Section 47(1)(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

Prosecuting, Malvin Musarurwa said on January 21, 2022 and at Plot 40, Magarasadza, Gumbu fatally assaulted Goodwell Mhlanga.

“Gumbu assaulted Mhlanga with fists, bricks and pots several times all over his body. Realising that there was a real risk that his conduct would cause death, he continued to engage in that conduct,” said Musarurwa.

On August 9, 2019, the court heard, Gumbu went home drunk and assaulted Semende, who was still his wife.

She then left her matrimonial home to stay with her brother in Penhalonga.

“On December 21, 2021, Samende went to stay at Plot 40, Magarasadza, where Mhlanga was also staying. Mhlanga then proposed love to Samende and she accepted,” said Musarurwa.

He said Samende and Mhlanga were in the same room when Gumbu visited the plot on the fateful day.

“On January 21, 2022, Mhlanga was in Samende’s room when she went to relieve herself outside. Samende then heard Mhlanga screaming for help as he was being assaulted by Gumbu. Samende went to seek help from a neighbour, Irene Gundavakuru.

“Upon her return, she saw Gumbu holding a brick in his right hand as he assaulted Mr Mhlanga. They failed to rescue Mhlanga.

“Samende called Nhamo Sadondo and as he came, he saw Mhlanga lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Sadondo tried to restrain Gumbu, but failed,” said Musarurwa.

Gumbu, however, refuted the allegations saying he only went to his ex-wife’s house with groceries for their children.

“On the day in question, I went to look for my wife (Semende) at her place of residence in order to give her some groceries. We had separated and she was staying on her own.

“Upon arrival at Plot Number 40, my ex-wife responded to the knock on the door and upon seeing me, she fled. I saw the now deceased inside the room and he armed himself with a brick from the fireplace. He struck me on the forehead and I fell down. I got up and confronted him. A fight broke out between the two of us.

“We fought inside the house and used various kitchen utensils as weapons. We pushed and shoved each other, resulting in the breaking of the door. We fell outside, where there were rocks,” said Gumbu.

Gumbu said they only stopped fighting after being restrained by other people.

Dr Chibhowa, who conducted a post-mortem on the late Mhlanga, concluded that Mhlanga’s death was caused by severe head injuries.