The High Court sitting in Lilongwe has sentenced Rwandan national Gentille Giramata to 40 years’ imprisonment for the murder of her husband, Noel Emile Hibamana, in 2022.
Joining her in the dock, the court also handed the second convict in the case, Rafik Munyamagaju, a sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Delivering the verdict, High Court Judge Bruno Kalemba emphasized that the sentences were heavily influenced by the calculated nature of the crime.
He noted that the murder was premeditated and committed using a weapon, factors the court viewed as aggravating circumstances.
However, Judge Kalemba drew a sharp distinction between the two convicts regarding the effective start dates of their sentences.
Consequently, he ruled that Giramata’s sentence should take effect immediately.
This decision followed her decision to jump bail during the trial and her continued failure to show remorse throughout the proceedings.
In contrast, the court took a more lenient approach regarding the timing of Munyamagaju’s sentence.
Because he respected his bail conditions and demonstrated remorse, his sentence will run from the date of his arrest.
