Rodney Tongai Jindu received two life sentences for murdering his friends in a Bulawayo High Court hearing. Originally sentenced to death in 2017, Jindu's punishment was reconsidered following President Mnangagwa's abolition of capital punishment.
His lawyers portrayed Jindu as a reformed individual who spent time reading the Bible and helping fellow inmates with literacy. They suggested he would offer compensation to victims' families if pardoned.
State prosecutor Tariro Rosa Takuva argued the murders were premeditated and committed under aggravating circumstances. One murder specifically occurred during a robbery of Cyprian Kudzurunga.
Justice Nokuthula Moyo emphasized Jindu's lack of compassion, noting he had not apologized to the victims' parents. She rejected his defense of being under the influence of drugs and determined he was unfit to remain part of society.
Jindu broke down emotionally as he received the life sentences, concluding a legal process that transformed his original death sentence into two consecutive life imprisonment terms.
His lawyers portrayed Jindu as a reformed individual who spent time reading the Bible and helping fellow inmates with literacy. They suggested he would offer compensation to victims' families if pardoned.
State prosecutor Tariro Rosa Takuva argued the murders were premeditated and committed under aggravating circumstances. One murder specifically occurred during a robbery of Cyprian Kudzurunga.
Justice Nokuthula Moyo emphasized Jindu's lack of compassion, noting he had not apologized to the victims' parents. She rejected his defense of being under the influence of drugs and determined he was unfit to remain part of society.
Jindu broke down emotionally as he received the life sentences, concluding a legal process that transformed his original death sentence into two consecutive life imprisonment terms.
