a Chimanimani man, who strangled his colleague...

a Chimanimani man, who strangled his colleague to death following a brawl during a gold panning excursion along the Muchira River in 2009, escaped the hangman’s noose after the High Court ruled he had shown a lot of contrition during trial. Takanyiswa Ruwo was convicted of murder with constructive intent by Justice Charles Hungwe and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The court heard on April 24 2009, Ruwo went to pan for gold with the now-deceased George Ndlovu along the river banks.
The pair had a long-standing dispute over money, an argument broke out and later degenerated into a fight. In a fit of rage, Ruwo struck Ndlovu’s head with a hoe handle and he fell into the pit.
He then strangled him and buried his body in the pit.
Ruwo admitted the murder charge, but told the court he killed Ndlovu in a fit of rage after failing to recover his money.
Justice Hungwe said what Ruwo did was unacceptable although there were extenuating circumstances in the matter.
He noted the accused had co-operated with the courts and given a credible narration of events.