By Takudziridzwa Nyama
A 32 year old employee of Jinan Mining Company in Gweru, Evans Fungato has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the brutal axe murder of 23-year-old Kudakwashe Midzi.
The sentence was handed down by the High Court Circuit in Gweru.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), states that the incident occured in Dongo B Compound Shurugwi, When Kudakwashe (the now deceased) was walking with his friends Witness Maroora and Cruise Professor Chandigere when Fungato confronted him holding an axe.
Fungato instructed the now-deceased to stay behind and struck him on the head with the back of the axe, rendering him unconscious.
Fungato also attempted to attack one of Midzi’s friends, Witness Maroora but was disarmed by Cruise Professor Chandigere before he took to his feet.
Midzi was rushed to Shurugwi Hospital and was later transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The sentencing of Fungato comes as part of the Midlands High Court Circuit’s efforts to address its backlog of cases, particularly those involving violent crimes in mining communities.