A 22-YEAR-OLD Beitbridge man, who attempted to kill a four-year-old minor with poisoning due to family feud, was yesterday sentenced to six years in jail.
Henry Kudakwashe Phiri (22) will, however, serve an effective five-year jail term after 12 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe stated that on May 28 at around 4pm, the complainant (name withheld) was playing with Phiri’s niece at his residence.
The court heard that Phiri hated the minor because there was a history of bad blood between the two families and he did not like the fact that the minor kept coming to their house to play.
The State alleged that Phiri deliberately gave the minor a poisonous pill and water and ordered her to swallow it. The minor complied and started vomiting immediately after taking the pill.
The minor went on to tell her mother about the incident and she was immediately rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital.
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An organophosphate poisoning was detected in the pill she was given.
Phiri was arrested after a report was made to the police.