A married soldier who could not stand being dumped by a girlfriend and hit back by destroying her house was Monday sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.
Magistrate Tendai Mahwe, however gave Alexander Muguti an option to do community service.
Two months of the sentence were also suspended on good behaviour for five years.
The other two months were suspended on condition that that he reinstitutes $400 to Margret Kadungure.
The remaining two months were suspended on condition that he does 70 hours of community service.
Mahwe said it was shameful for a Zimbabwe National Army officer to react violently to such a matter, considering he was already married.
“In assessing sentence, the court took into account that you are a first offender, but it is shameful that you could not simply accept rejection.
"You have a wife and it shows you had no respect for your marriage; you went on to commit a crime which you knew could land you in jail without even thinking about your family.
"It’s shameful that you fight for a girlfriend in this world full of Sexually Transmitted diseases and HIV and Aids,” said the magistrate.
According to the state, Muguti, who has a wife, failed to control his emotions after learning that his girlfriend was now dating another man.
Court heard that Muguti was told the adulterous affair was over early this year.
It is the state’s case that sometime in May when the adulterous couple was already having problems, the soldier called his girlfriend’s number only to be answered by a male voice who confirmed that he was now dating his lover.
Muguti then proceeded to his girlfriend’s place where he knocked and his ex-lover refused to open the door.
This angered Muguti who went on to smash the screen doors of her ex-girlfriend's house, damaging property worth $400.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Muguti.
Magistrate Tendai Mahwe, however gave Alexander Muguti an option to do community service.
Two months of the sentence were also suspended on good behaviour for five years.
The other two months were suspended on condition that that he reinstitutes $400 to Margret Kadungure.
The remaining two months were suspended on condition that he does 70 hours of community service.
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| Jilted soldier sentenced for destroying lover’s home. |
“In assessing sentence, the court took into account that you are a first offender, but it is shameful that you could not simply accept rejection.
"You have a wife and it shows you had no respect for your marriage; you went on to commit a crime which you knew could land you in jail without even thinking about your family.
"It’s shameful that you fight for a girlfriend in this world full of Sexually Transmitted diseases and HIV and Aids,” said the magistrate.
According to the state, Muguti, who has a wife, failed to control his emotions after learning that his girlfriend was now dating another man.
Court heard that Muguti was told the adulterous affair was over early this year.
It is the state’s case that sometime in May when the adulterous couple was already having problems, the soldier called his girlfriend’s number only to be answered by a male voice who confirmed that he was now dating his lover.
Muguti then proceeded to his girlfriend’s place where he knocked and his ex-lover refused to open the door.
This angered Muguti who went on to smash the screen doors of her ex-girlfriend's house, damaging property worth $400.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Muguti.
