ZIMBABWE: CYANIDE KILLERS GET DEATH PENALTY

May 24, 2012: In Zimbabwe, death penalties have been read out for two men accused of killing two businessmen from Bulawayo by poisoning their water with cyanide while on a gold hunt, in March 2011.
Bulawayo High Court judge Meshack Cheda, on circuit in Gweru, delivered the ruling after a trial lasting three days.
Farai Lawrence Ndlovu, 23, of Mkoba Village, Gweru, and Wellington Gadzira, 37, of Zvishavane, both denied the charges but were convicted of the murder of  Michael Sutherland, 38, and Geoffrey William Povey, 64, with constructive intent.
On the second day of the trial, Ndlovu took the witness stand to accuse Gadzira of plotting and executing the murders. He admitted an intention to rob.
Rosa Takuva, prosecuting, told the court that the men had fled the scene with the deceased’s vehicle, $300 cash and other personal belongings.
Ndlovu tried to escape to Mozambique where he intended to sell the car but was arrested on March 29 near Sango Border post. Gadzira was arrested in Bindura on July 11 by a 30-man strong joint taskforce which involved the Central Intelligence Organisation and various units of the Criminal Investigations Department.
Relatives of the two dead men welcomed the judgement outside court.
A spokesman for both families said: "We have waited a year for this judgement. We feel justice has prevailed.” (Sources: newzimbabwe.com, newsday.co.zw, 24/05/2012)