Chronicle Editor
Tsenulo Moyo
A man from Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo was fined US$100 for insulting his neighbour saying she was a witch and accusing her of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease.
A foul-mouthed Eugene Nyahodza (39) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Maxwell Ncube facing charges of criminal insult.
He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to pay a fine of US$100 or its equivalent in ZiG.
In default of payment, he will face two months’ imprisonment. Additionally, two months of imprisonment were suspended for five years on condition that the accused does not commit a similar offence during that period.
This means that if the accused commits another similar offence within five years, they will be sentenced to an additional two months in prison without the option of a fine.
The court heard that on 30 June 2024 at around 8pm, the accused and his friends were making noise at complainant Pretty Nyathi (47)’s gate. This prompted the complainant to approach them and ask them to quiet down.
Incensed by the approach, the accused responded abusively, calling Nyathi a witch and also accusing her of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease. The complainant went and reported the matter to the police, leading to Nyahodza’s arrest.
Testifying in court, Nyathi said Nyahodza impaired her dignity by publicly insulting her for no apparent reason.
“The accused person seriously impaired my dignity by publicly insulting me for no apparent reason after I simply asked him and his friends to lower their voices so that we could sleep,” said Nyathi.
Nyathi added that the insult made her feel so uncomfortable that she no longer feels safe walking in her neighbourhood.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter