Tiyani Hahlani
Centre News Hub
Masvingo-The High Court has acquitted Calvin Munorwei of murder following the mysterious death of his girlfriend, Laura Tendai Sinet, whose body was found along the Masvingo–Beitbridge Road in December 2024.
Masvingo High court judge, Justice Christopher Dube Banda ruled that the State, represented by prosecutor Mike Tembo, had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Munorwei unlawfully caused Sinet’s death.
Munorwei, who was represented by veteran Masvingo lawyer Charles Ndhlovu, had denied the charge.
The court heard that on December 13, 2024, Munorwei returned to Harare and repeatedly attempted to contact Sinet, who was in the company of a male friend and did not answer his calls.
Concerned, he later went to her residence at Clipsham Flats, where he found her with the same friend. A misunderstanding reportedly arose after he questioned her for ignoring his calls, leading him to end the relationship.
What followed would become one of the most unusual and troubling aspects of the case.
According to evidence presented in court, Sinet allegedly got into the boot of Munorwei’s vehicle and refused to come out despite his efforts to persuade her.
In an attempt to resolve the dispute, Munorwei drove to Sunrise Mall seeking assistance from one of Sinet’s friends.
However, Sinet reportedly refused to leave the vehicle, allegedly warning that “something would happen” if the relationship ended.
The court further heard that Munorwei later attempted to return Sinet to her residence, but she again refused to disembark.
He told the court that while driving, he briefly stopped after receiving a phone call, and only later realised that Sinet was no longer in the boot of the vehicle. Efforts to locate her that night were unsuccessful.
The following morning, he received news that Sinet’s body had been discovered along the Masvingo–Beitbridge highway.
Medical evidence presented in court indicated that the deceased sustained multiple injuries, including a depressed skull fracture and neck injuries.
A post-mortem report suggested that the injuries could have been caused either by an assault or by falling onto a hard surface.
However, the court noted inconsistencies in the medical findings, including indications that the fatal injuries may have occurred while the body was stationary, as well as the absence of defensive wounds or clear signs of a struggle.
Police evidence also pointed to the possibility that Sinet may have jumped or fallen from a moving vehicle, as her body was found lying on the road with bleeding from the ears and mouth.
In his ruling, Justice Dube Banda said there was no direct evidence linking Munorwei to an assault that caused the death.
“The State has failed to prove that the accused person caused the death of the deceased,” he said.
The judge added that Munorwei’s actions including seeking help from the deceased’s friend and attempting to persuade her to leave the vehicle suggested he had no intention to harm her.
While the court acknowledged the possibility that the accused could have been involved, it ruled that suspicion alone was not sufficient for a conviction.
“It remains a 50-50 scenario,” the judge said, before finding Munorwei not guilty and acquitting him.
