adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 38-YEAR-OLD man from Bulilima destroyed his younger brother’s property valued at $2,390 as he avenged his sibling’s alleged snatching of his girlfriend several years back.
Clement Moyo of Sikhathini area told the court that he was still unmarried because his younger brother who is based in South Africa, Lindokuhle Moyo, 35, snatched his girlfriend in 2012.
He said he decided to punish his younger brother by destroying his property left under the custody of their 73-year-old father, Aleck Moyo.
Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa convicted Clement on his plea of guilty to malicious damage to property and sentenced him to six months imprisonment which was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit a similar offence.
Ruvetsa had ordered Clement to be examined by two doctors who confirmed that he was mentally stable.
“I’m not married up to today your Worship because my younger brother snatched the woman I intended to marry from me. He misled her into joining him in South Africa in 2012 and she ran away from me to be with him.
“I’ve not forgiven him for this hence I destroyed his property to punish him. My father is always defending him, everyone in my family is always ill-treating me and taking me for granted,” said Clement.
Prosecuting, Jane Phiri said the 73-year-old man watched helplessly as his son destroyed his brother’s property in the middle of the night.
She said the value of the damaged property was $2,390.
Online Reporter