Thursday, October 15

See You In 2052 Judge Said

Court judge, Justice Emilia Muchawa, said there was overwhelming evidence that a Harare woman, Bridget Makaza, intentionally killed her husband and slapped her with a 27-year jail term.

 

 

 

 

Makaza, 50, killed her husband, MaCloud Zvavovaviri Mapanga, a businessman who ran Kurai Coaches, in a cold-blooded and calculated murder committed at the couple’s Harare home in 2018. Makaza was found guilty last week of killing her husband in the early hours of May 14, 2018.

 

 

 

 

In her ruling, Justice Muchawa, said the evidence overwhelmingly pointed to premeditation.“Our findings are that the accused person planned to execute the deceased. To set this in motion, she travelled to South Africa, soon after her return from the United Kingdom, to procure the murder weapon,” Justice Muchawa said.

“She conveniently flew into South Africa and used the road back to smuggle the murder weapon into Zimbabwe.

“She then waited for a convenient time. It fell on May 14, 2018 and around 3 am when the deceased, who had returned from work around 11 pm, was fast asleep. She aimed at the upper part of his body and delivered three fatal shots to the shoulders and neck. To cover up her crime, she staged an unlawful entry and robbery.“She shouted, ‘thief, thief’. She left the deceased She went alone, presumably to lodge a report, but, as confessed, her priority was to dispose of the firearm and related items, including the gloves which she had worn when shooting the deceased.

 

 

 

 

“To sanitise her disposal trip, the accused passed through Mabelreign Police Station and reported a robbery. This story was sustained throughout until interrogations led to her confession and the indications she made leading to the recovery of the firearm.

“The conduct of the accused before, during and after the murder led us to unequivocally conclude that the accused unlawfully and with intent to kill, shot MaCloud Zvavovaviri (Mapanga).”

 

 

 

 

 

She shot her husband using a 38 Amadeo Rossi revolver, with erased serial numbers. Makaza first shot Mapanga on the right shoulder, while another bullet hit him above the left shoulder and a third grazed the neck before penetrating the right shoulder. She claimed that the intruders had entered the home, shot her husband and stole US$12,000 from the wardrobe. No signs of forced entry were found and forensic ballistic analysis later confirmed that the projectiles recovered from the deceased’s body had been fired from the same firearm she had attempted to conceal.

 

 

 

 

The revolver and gloves were recovered through her own indications.

The court heard that Makaza had travelled to South Africa on May 2, 2018, where she bought the gun she used in the murder. After being placed on remand, she was granted bail but fled to the United Kingdom, only to be re-arrested upon her return in December 2024.

 

 

 

 

A post-mortem examination determined that Mapanga died from traumatic shock, lung and liver ruptures and shotgun injuries. In her defence, Makaza claimed a long history of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband, detailing repeated assaults, forced intimacy, infidelity and psychological trauma.seriously injured, without rendering any assistance or calling the ambulance and slipped away in the ensuing confusion.

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Asbestos Exposure Lawyer: Who May Qualify for Compensation?

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Asbestos Exposure Lawyer: Who May Qualify for Compensation?

Asbestos exposure has affected workers, veterans, families, and communities for generations. Many people exposed years ago are now facing serious illness, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

An asbestos exposure lawyer helps determine whether a person may qualify for compensation from companies that made, sold, installed, or used asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos claims can be complex because exposure often happened many years before diagnosis.

Why Asbestos Is Dangerous

Asbestos is dangerous because its tiny fibers can be inhaled or swallowed. Once inside the body, the fibers may remain for years and cause disease.

ATSDR explains that exposure to asbestos may cause breathing problems, lung cancer, or mesothelioma, and these diseases usually appear many years after first exposure.

Who May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos?

People may have been exposed at work, at home, in the military, or in older buildings.

High-risk occupations may include:

Construction workers
Shipyard workers
Navy veterans
Pipefitters
Boilermakers
Electricians
Plumbers
Insulators
Mechanics
Machinists
Power plant workers
Refinery workers
Steel workers
Railroad workers
Demolition workers
Factory workers

Exposure could also happen during home renovation, especially in older properties.

Family Exposure and Take-Home Asbestos

Some family members were exposed without ever working directly with asbestos.

This is often called take-home exposure or secondary exposure.

A worker could bring asbestos fibers home on clothing, boots, hair, tools, or skin. Family members who washed work clothes or hugged the worker after a shift may have been exposed.

The National Cancer Institute recognizes evidence that family members of heavily exposed workers may face increased mesothelioma risk from asbestos fibers brought into the home.

Who May Qualify for an Asbestos Claim?

A person may qualify if they have:

Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestosis
Pleural plaques with related legal claim
Other asbestos-related disease
A loved one who died from asbestos disease

The strongest claims usually involve a medical diagnosis and a history of asbestos exposure.

What If You Do Not Know Where Exposure Happened?

Many people do not remember exactly where exposure occurred.

That is common.

An asbestos lawyer may investigate:

Job history
Union records
Military records
Social Security work history
Coworker testimony
Jobsite records
Product databases
Company documents
Old invoices
Ship or plant records

Experienced asbestos lawyers often have databases showing which products were used at certain jobsites.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy and created trust funds to compensate people harmed by asbestos products.

A lawyer may help determine whether trust fund claims are available.

Trust claims may require:

Medical diagnosis
Exposure evidence
Work history
Product identification
Proof of employment
Death certificate for wrongful death claims

Lawsuit vs. Trust Fund Claim

An asbestos case may involve:

Personal injury lawsuit
Wrongful death lawsuit
Asbestos trust fund claims
Veterans benefits, where applicable
Workers’ compensation, in limited situations

More than one path may be available. A lawyer can explain which options apply.

What Compensation May Cover?

Compensation may help with:

Medical treatment
Travel to cancer specialists
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Caregiver costs
Home care
Funeral costs
Loss of companionship
Family financial support

No amount of money can undo a diagnosis, but compensation can help reduce financial pressure.

Final Thoughts

An asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine whether you or your family may qualify for compensation after an asbestos-related diagnosis.

Even if exposure happened 30, 40, or 50 years ago, legal options may still exist.

The key is to act quickly after diagnosis and preserve as much work, military, and medical history as possible.

Career Development Insight

Investing in education, such as online MBA programs or certifications, can significantly increase earning potential. Flexible learning options allow professionals to upgrade skills without interrupting their careers.

Searches like “best online MBA programs” show strong intent. Choosing accredited programs improves career outcomes.