Parking marshal jailed for malicious damage to property

The soldier was jailed four years for the offence

Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau

A Gweru City Council employee has been jailed for malicious damage to property after throwing a spike that deflated a resident’s tyre in a parking infraction.

Gweru City Council, which is struggling with revenue collection, recently introduced an odd hour clamping programme which runs from 6pm until 7am.

A local resident, Mr Elias Mataga of Mkoba recently reported to the police a council employee, Kizito Wedzerai after he threw a spike under his Toyota Wish car resulting in one of the vehicle’s tyres being deflated.

Kizito appeared before Gweru magistrate, Ms Princess Ndlovu last week facing malicious damage to property charges.

Kizito pleaded not guilty to the charge but Ms Ndlovu found him guilty and sentenced him to eight months in prison.

Kizito will, however serve 245 hours of Community Service after seven months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Another month was suspended on condition that Kizito pays Mr Mataga US$45 for the replacement of his tyre.

Charges against Kizito were that he was patrolling the streets of Gweru’s CBD around 630am recently when he saw the complainant parking his vehicle, a Toyota Wish.

The court heard that the complainant’s daughter disembarked from the car and walked to a food outlet but found it closed and quickly returned to the car.

It is the state’s case that Kizito then threw a spike under the car as the car was taking off and in the process deflated the right rear tyre.

Kizito was accusing the complainant of “picking and dropping” in the CBD.

The court heard that the complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to Kizito’s arrest.