State v Hodhera (331 of 2024) [2024] ZWHHC 331 (19 July 2024)

State v Hodhera (331 of 2024) [2024] ZWHHC 331 (19 July 2024)

Section 47(1) defines one offence of murder with two forms of intention; it is not necessary to specify which form is alleged in the indictment. Alleging both does not render the indictment defective or prejudicial. The application to quash is without merit.

Citation
[2024] ZWHHC 331
Parties
Prosecutor: The State; Accused: Simeon Hodhera
Court
Harare High Court
Jurisdiction
Zimbabwe
Judgment Date
19 July 2024
Case Number
331 of 2024
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Pre Trial Application to Quash Indictment
Outcome
application dismissed
Legal Topics
Murder, Indictment, Mens Rea, Application to Quash, Criminal Procedure
Source Language
English

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Parties

The State

Prosecutor

Simeon Hodhera

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Pre Trial Application to Quash Indictment

  1. 1 Whether an indictment for murder that alleges both actual and constructive intent under s 47(1)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Law Code is fatally defective and prejudicial to the accused
  2. 2 Whether such an indictment can be amended or must be quashed

Ratio Decidendi

Section 47(1) defines one offence of murder with two forms of intention; it is not necessary to specify which form is alleged in the indictment. Alleging both does not render the indictment defective or prejudicial. The application to quash is without merit.

Court Disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • The application to quash the indictment is dismissed.