Bulawayo man fined US$200 for smashing taxi windscreen in jealousy-fuelled outburst

A BULAWAYO man who smashed the windscreen of a hired taxi after suspecting his friend of having an affair with his girlfriend has been fined US$200.

Nelson Moyo, of Barham Green suburb, appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Golden Muyambo on Monday facing a charge of malicious damage to property.

Moyo pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted before being ordered to pay a US$200 fine. He was also sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.

In passing sentence, Mr Muyambo said Moyo was a first-time offender who had demonstrated genuine remorse and had spared the court’s time by entering a guilty plea.
“He showed remorse and did not waste the court’s time as he pleaded guilty. He was remorseful for the offence he committed. In light of that, the court had to be lenient,” said the magistrate.

In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Sibusisiwe Sithole submitted that the offence had been premeditated and had endangered lives.

“The offender planned to commit the offence and the value of the damaged property is significant. He endangered the complainant’s life by throwing stones at the windscreen while the complainant was inside a moving vehicle, which could have caused an accident. The State prays for a harsh penalty to deter would-be offenders,” she said.

The court heard that on May 26 this year, at about 3pm, Moyo and his friend, Methembe Mzizi, hired a taxi from Bulawayo’s city centre to Barham Green suburb.

Upon arriving at his girlfriend’s residence, a dispute reportedly arose after Mzizi allegedly refused to disembark from the vehicle while the woman failed to answer Moyo’s call.

The court heard that Moyo became suspicious that his girlfriend was involved in an affair with Mzizi. He allegedly hurled insults at his friend before running around in search of an object with which to attack him.

Fearing for his safety, the taxi driver attempted to drive away from the scene. However, Moyo allegedly picked up stones and hurled them at the moving vehicle, shattering its windscreen.
The damaged windscreen was valued at US$200.