Chenjerai Mandiziva, a 43-year-old inhabitant of Edward Farm Plot 27, Shurugwi, was sentenced to three years in prison for the terrible death of his 13-year-old son, Takunda John Mandiziva, in a devastating verdict that has shocked the country.
The episode, which was fostered by rumour, has prompted concerns about the sufficiency of justice in similar circumstances.
According to the Masvingo Mirror, the heartbreaking incident occurred on November 8, 2022, at the family’s house at Edward Farm, Plot 27.
Chenjerai Mandiziva overheard his son, Takunda, discussing his father’s suspected adultery with his stepmother, Berita Mapiye.
Mandiziva resorted to violence out of rage and a wish to hush the rumour.
According to witnesses, Mandiziva lashed out at Takunda, beating him mercilessly with a switch. Despite the boy’s pleas, the violence did not stop.
In a desperate attempt to cool down, Takunda asked his father to pour water on him. Tragically, the situation worsened, and the boy later succumbed to his injuries.
The court discovered throughout the trial that Takunda’s autopsy indicated internal damage, including blood clots in his liver, kidneys, and lungs, which contributed to his death from severe shock and abdominal trauma. The severity of the injuries should have justified harsher punishment.
Mandiziva was sentenced to three years in prison by High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, which many see as a miscarriage of justice. Even more perplexing was the one-year sentence suspension, which means the guilty guy would serve only two years in prison.
The community and human rights activists have expressed their outrage at the sentencing, calling it a mockery of justice. “A life has been taken, and all that is served is a meagre sentence? This is a failure of our justice system,” exclaimed Sarah Nyathi, a local activist.
Mandiziva’s defence claimed culpable homicide, arguing that the killing was unintentional. However, many believe that the severity of the beating indicates a clear intent to harm, if not worse.
This heart-rending case has reignited the debate on sentencing guidelines for cases involving domestic violence and the loss of innocent lives. Calls for reform are echoing throughout the country, urging lawmakers and legal authorities to revisit their approach to such cases.
As the nation grapples with this tragic incident, one can only hope that Takunda’s death will not be in vain and that justice will prevail in future cases, sparing other families the pain of a similar outcome.