Chronicle EditorFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
A headman in Somabula has been summoned by police in Gweru for questioning after he allegedly fined a man who had an adulterous affair with his neighbour’s wife five beasts. Under the Traditional Leaders Act, only a chief can fine his or her subject a beast or more for an offence.
Headmen are restricted to smaller fines like chicken and goats. Gweru Police confirmed the incident. Mr Boyson Cherua, a farmer in the Somabula resettlement area, stormed out of a traditional court presided over by headman Abraham Moyo and made a report at Gweru Rural Police Station. Headman Moyo had found him guilty of adultery.
“I felt I was being victimised because I am the most successful farmer in the area. They always cook up stories against me and only last week I stormed out of a traditional court where I was accused of having an affair with a fellow villager’s wife,” he said.
Mr Cheura said the headman’s court had found him guilty even before cross examination.
“It was a biased court hearing where one of the headman’s aides called me aside during the court session and told me that I should just admit guilt and pay five beats to save myself from the embarrassment. I, however, told him that I was going to report the matter to the police because I felt I was clean and was just being victimised,” he said.
Headman Moyo yesterday confirmed he was summoned by police in Gweru over the matter but denied that they had found Mr Cheura guilty and charged him the five beasts.
“The matter is still before my court. When we were gathered, Cheura suddenly stormed out of the meeting and went to see a police officer called Makoni at Gweru Rural Police Station where he lied that we had fined him the beasts. I am under Chief Bunina and before every verdict we consult the chief. No verdict has been made,” he said.
Headman Moyo said they were yet to set a new date for Mr Cheura’s hearing after he stormed out of the court session.
Online Reporter