Man sentenced to 10-years for grievous harm


The Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Thursday, 02, February, 2023 convicted and sentenced Mazuwa Gondwe, 22, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of acts intended to cause grievous harm.
The court through state prosecutor Sergeant Maggie Simfukwe Nkhata heard that on November 1, 2022 around 07:00 hours, Temwa Gondwe (victim) left his wife, their one month old baby and his brother(convict) home for his motorcycle operation business
Few hours later, the victim returned home in order to have breakfast but was surprised to found the house covered with curtains. Suddenly the convict came out of the house with an axe which had blood stains and started hacking his brother who fled while shouting for help.
Prosecutor Nkhata added that the victim was rushed to Mzuzu Central Hospital where he was treated as an outpatient. Upon arrival at his house he found his wife and kid lying dead in a pool of blood and their remains were taken to the same hospital where it was revealed that they succumbed to severe head injuries and external bleeding.
Appearing in court the convict pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade four witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation the convict prayed for leniency saying that he is a first offender.
In submission, prosecutor Nkhata prayed for a custodial sentence, saying being the elder brother, Mazuwa was supposed to protect his younger brother but instead he chose to victimize him.
Passing sentence, Magistrate Ashford Harawa concurred with the state hence slapped him to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Meanwhile the convict is also answering charges of murder.
He hails from Dumisani Village, Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba
