Mashudu Mambo
A CRIME committed seven years ago by two neighbourhood watch officers from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South province who thrashed a 13-year-old girl for allegedly stealing a cellphone has finally been settled after they were sentenced to seven months each in prison.
Titos Shunyayi (49) and Moses Sibanda (60) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza facing a charge of assault. They pleaded guilty to the charge and were sentenced.
They were ordered to pay a fine of US$100 on or before 30 June or serve four months in prison. Three months were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that sometime in November 2017 at Lambamia area, the duo went to the victim’s homestead where they took her.
They headed off with the juvenile to a bush about a kilometer away from her home and asked her if she had stolen a cellphone.
She denied the allegations and the duo assaulted her several times on the back with a wooden log and a knobkerrie.
A report was filed at ZRP Lambamia and this led to the arrest of the duo.



