In a shocking act of violence, a Gweru man has been sentenced to three years in prison for the attempted murder of his own shop employee.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, 41-year-old Tawanda Darangwa was arraigned before the Shurugwi Magistrates’ Court on charges of attempted murder. The incident occurred on September 22nd, 2021, when Darangwa and the complainant, who was employed by him as a shop keeper, were at his store.
The court heard that Darangwa had asked the complainant to fetch him beer from his homestead, but she refused. Infuriated by her response, Darangwa pulled out a Pietro Berreta pistol and shot the complainant once in the shoulder.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to Darangwa’s arrest. In the subsequent trial, the accused was sentenced to a total of five years in prison, with two years suspended. He will serve an effective three-year jail term for the attempted murder.
The NPA encourages members of the public to desist from using violence to resolve disputes. Instead, the authority encourages citizens to seek amicable resolutions or engage third-party mediation when faced with conflicts.
This disturbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of choosing violence over peaceful conflict resolution. The NPA’s swift action in prosecuting the case and handing down a substantial sentence sends a clear message that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Zimbabwe.
