Sidumisile Mabena
Dalyn Chigwizura
BULAWAYO streets turned into a bizarre “golf course” after a rank marshal allegedly went for full-blown destruction, smashing a commuter omnibus like he was aiming for a hole-in-one!
Thulani Ndlovu (41) of Njube suburb used a golf stick to wreak havoc on a kombi, leaving the driver counting heavy losses.
The Western Commonage court heard how Ndlovu went from rank marshal to “street golfer” in seconds.
Magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube convicted Ndlovu of malicious damage to property and sentenced him to 12 months in prison.
However, the sentence came with conditions that kept him out of jail, for now.
Three months were suspended for three years on condition of good behaviour.
Another three months were suspended on condition that he pays back US$206 to the complainant before May 8. The remaining six months were set aside for 210 hours of community service at Harlem Primary School.
According to prosecutor Catherine Kuzu, Ndlovu sent passengers scurrying for cover on March 13 at around 12:30PM along Njube Main Road.
The complainant, Justice Sibanda, 26, was driving his commuter omnibus from Cowdray Park heading into town when he stopped to pick up a passenger.
That simple act triggered Ndlovu.
The court heard that Ndlovu approached Sibanda and questioned whether he was pirating. But before the driver could even explain himself, things took a violent turn.
Like a man possessed, Ndlovu grabbed a golf stick and smashed the kombi’s windscreen before striking the vehicle’s body three times.
The total damage was pegged at US$206, and nothing has been repaired to date.
Ndlovu will now swap his “golf swings” for community service duties as he pays for his costly outburst.
Online Reporter