The accused was convicted in the Magistrates Court of the offence of concealing the birth of a child in contravention of s 106(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, [Chapter 9:23] (The Criminal Code). The charge that was preferred against the accused reads as follows:-
“In that on the 12th of August, 2019 and at Ziware Village, Chief Charumbira, Celia Tichagwa buried or disposed the body of a child with the intention of concealing the fact of the birth.” More
On 5 November 2010 the accused was driving a Toyota Hiace mini bus commonly referred to as a Combi along the Harare – Bulawayo Road towards Bulawayo. Such vehicles are notoriously used as public service motor vehicle for hire or reward. More
Before the commencement of this trial the accused raised all manner of issues which ultimately delayed the start of this trial. A brief discussion of those issues raised by the accused is necessary in order to appreciate why the accused ultimately opted to conduct his defence in person without either counsel of choice or pro deo counsel. More
The accused was employed as a “game scout” by a private wild life conservancy. His duties entailed the protection of wild life. These were predominantly anti-poaching functions.
He was charged with murder. He shot and killed a man poaching fish from a dam within the private ranch. The ranch was part of a cluster of private conservancies under the Chiredzi River Conservancy. It was common cause that such private conservancies are under the direct authority and supervision of the Parks and Wild Life Management Authority [hereafter referred to as “Parks”]. More
This matter was listed for trial today with the accused having been indicted
on 2 counts of murder. Prior to the hearing, counsel made a courtesy call and I met with them in
chambers. The accused’s counsel had not previously appeared before me and took the
opportunity to introduce himself as is customary. I enquired of counsel whether the matter was
proceeding to trial as scheduled. The State counsel advised that he would apply for
postponement of the trial for a number of reasons including the fact that he did not have state
witnesses in attendance. I directed that the... More
The first accused person is a 17 year old pupil at Dora Secondary School in Mutare where he is doing form 4 while the second accused person is a 16 year old pupil at Dangamvura High School in Mutare where he is doing form 3. More