adminTendai Gukutikwa
A HONDE Valley member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee learnt it the hardest way that crime does not pay after being sentenced to six months imprisonment for soliciting and accepting a bribe of $3, 50. Senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura descended heavily on Pardon Masevha (24) for demanding and accepting a bribe of $3, 50 from street vendors.
Masevha was convicted on his own guilty plea and sentenced to six months imprisonment, of which three months were suspended after the court took into consideration that he was a first offender who had not wasted the court’s time denying the offence. The three months were also suspended on condition that he did not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Although the State led by Cuthbert Bhosha treated Masevha as a first offender, Mrs Chiundura could have none of it and said the accused had committed a serious offence.
She said Masevha should not expect leniency from the court for his actions.
“For the remaining three months, you are to serve in prison and I am not giving you an option to pay a fine,” said Mrs Chiundura.
The court heard that Masevha arrested three teenage vendors at Hauna Growth Point in Honde Valley.
“He ordered the trio to pay him a bribe to which they produced $3, 50.
“After he released them, the trio went on to make a report at Hauna Police Station leading to his arrest,” said Mr Bhosha.
Asked why he had committed the offence, Masevha told the court that the vendors had pleaded for forgiveness, but he could not just let them go without him benefiting anything.
Mrs Chiundura told him to use legal means to get the money he very much desired.
“The sentence is heavier because we hope that you will learn never to put the law into your own hands again,” said Mrs Chiundura.
She said the sentence should also act as a deterrent to anyone involved in bribery and fraud.
Online Reporter