Ex-soldier in trouble

Answer Sithole
KEEPING a Zimbabwe Air Force identification card displayed in a house as a souvenir landed a 32-year-old man in soup after he was arrested and subsequently arraigned before Mutare Magistrates’ Court.
Criminal Investigation Department officers were informed that Clemance Musiyarwiriyo (32) was in possession of a Zimbabwe Defence Forces identity document and upon searching his house it was found displayed.

Musiyazviriyo, a former member of the Zimbabwe Air Force, then appeared before Mutare magistrate Ms Sekai Chiundura on Monday for possessing an army identity card.

Although he pleaded guilty, he denied that he used to wear military uniform since he had surrendered it upon resignation.
His defence council Passmore Nyakureba of Maanda and Maunga Associates told the court that the accused had not breached any law since he had resigned from the force in 2007 so the ID was the only souvenir he was left with.

“The accused was once in the military and he left the force upon resignation.
“All that belonged to the army was returned but the ID card was the only thing that he had left with to remind him that he was in the service.

“The accused did not breach the Defence Act Chapter 11.02, Section 100 which makes it a crime to unlawfully possess or forge military documents since he was once in the military,” said Nyakureba

However, Ms Chiundura found the accused guilty and made him to pay $100 fine and the ID remains in the possession of the State.