admin
The Herald, July 7, 1979
GWELO city councillor and industrialist, Kenneth Winsor, whose liberal use of an abusive four-letter word to a chief inspector in the police, led to his appearance in the court, charged with an offense under the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, yesterday, changed his plea to one of guilty and in effect apologised.
He was fined $50 by the Provincial Magistrate, Mr WB Lake, at Gwelo Magistrates’ Court.
When the state presented its case on June 7, alleging that the words Winsor used were likely to expose the Police to contempt, ridicule or disesteem, Winsor pleaded not guilty.
He said his defence would be one of justification and said he would produce evidence of Police inefficiency and certain alleged irregularities by members of the force.
The case was adjourned until July 25 when Winsor was due to present his defence evidence. Yesterday, Winsor, who was accompanied to court by a former Mayor of Gwelo, Alderman GA Sulter, made a surprise appearance before Mr Lake.
After asking to change his plea he said: “While my behaviour was caused by a sense of complete frustration and even exasperation, I realise it was prejudicial to respect for the maintenance of law and order and also detrimental to the city council of which I am a member.
“I accept these utterings were likely to bring the BSA Police into contempt and disesteem and I accept they were uttered within hearing of various members of my staff. I wish to plead categorically that I had no justification for uttering these words.
“For this, I would express my regret and request the court to take into account the very difficult times in which we live and the pressures to which we are subjected.
“This unfortunate incident was an occasion when I ‘cracked’ and is regretted. I would ask the court to take into consideration my contribution to the community as an industrialist and as a councillor, endeavouring to promote the city for the benefit of the community as a whole.”
After finding him guilty, Mr Lake told Winsor: “Your apology is one I am sure the police will appreciate.
“Fortunately, I do not have to go into an investigation of whether those wrongs which were raised in your defence are justified. Some of them may well exist but you have quite rightly indicated yourself, assuming that they were, they would still not justify your words.
“I think it is a great pity because my impression is that you both have qualities . . . you yourself have indicated that (the Police) are a fine force generally, one which we can be proud of . . .
“On the other hand, I think you too have got very positive qualities. Your contribution to the town is not unknown. And your shortness of temper apparently is also not unknown. I think that is really what gave rise to the whole affair.
Mr G. J. Labuschagne appeared for the State.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Public officials are people who should try as much as possible to abide by the law and should be above reproach. They should not take advantage of their positions to abuse others, especially fellow public officials as the situation in the story.
- Public officials should seek to practice servant leadership. This is something that is being stated repeatedly by President Mnangagwa as one of the hallmarks of his Second Republic.
- Stern measures should always be taken against public officials that abuse other people, especially colleagues, to send a clear message to others.
Online Reporter