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Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
DESTROYING his neighbours’ crops over a misunderstanding earned a Chipinge man (26) a five-month jail term.
Reginald Mlambo of Mashedze Village under Chief Mapungwana’s area appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Noah Gwatidzo on Monday facing charges of unlawfully damage of Mr Desire Sigauke’s crops.
Prosecuting, Mr Regis Mawarire, said the incident occurred on July 3 at around 3pm after Mlambo and Mr Sigauke’s younger brother, Happison Chabata had quarrelled at Chako Business Centre the previous day.
“The following day, Mlambo went to Mr Sigauke’s garden and slashed about 0.1 hectares of his vegetables. Mlambo was found by Mr Talkmore Chibhamu (46) slashing the complainant’s vegetables with a slasher. The value of the vegetables which was destroyed by the accused was assessed by the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Service and was valued at $200. Nothing was recovered,” said Mr Mawarire. Asked why he slashed the vegetables, Mlambo said: “I am pleading for forgiveness Your Worship and I will never appear in court again. I am ready to compensate all the damaged crops.” Mr Gwatidzo slapped Mlambo with a five-month jail term wholly suspended on condition that he restitutes Mr Sigauke $200 for the damaged crops by September 15.
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