Masvingo Bureau — A 39-year-old Bikita man was last week jailed for 14 years for brutally murdering a fellow villager who had professed ignorance over his wife's whereabouts. Justice Charles Hungwe, who was sitting at the High Court on circuit in Masvingo, jailed Forward Muchavhera of Ziumbe village in Mukanganwi communal lands after convicting him of murdering Rhodha Muchacha (23) two years ago. Justice Hungwe said an innocent life had been lost and there was no provocation from the deceased, hence the use of excessive force was not tolerable.

Representing the State, Mr Tineyi Matenga told the court that on August 7, 2010, Muchavhera fatally assaulted Muchacha with a safety shoe on the chin and face. Muchavhera, who was represented by Lawrence Maweni of Chikaha and Maputsenyika, visited the now deceased's place in the afternoon and asked her on the whereabouts of his wife Moline Toendepi.

Muchacha did not know where Toendepi was and the response angered Muchavhera who attacked her with his safety shoes.

Muchavhera also attacked Chipo Murambiwa who had tried to restrain him. Muchacha's daughter, Sandra Sarukwa, alerted her father Muzondi Sarukwa who managed to restrain Muchavhera.

He was subsequently handed over to the police at Bikita.