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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE judiciary system has been left with no option but to give stiffer and deterrent sentences to machete wielding perpetrators as a way of curbing attacks that have rocked Midlands Province, a Kwekwe magistrate has said.
Speaking during a meeting with chiefs and other stakeholders who met to discuss the machetes issue in Kwekwe last week, Kwekwe senior magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa said fines were not deterrent enough hence the serious consideration by the courts to give jail sentences.
“We are left with no option but to seriously consider deterrent sentences that would bar would-be offenders from committing similar offences,” said Miss Mtukwa.
“We have noticed that fines are not deterrent enough hence we are seriously considering stiffer penalties like longer jail terms,” she said.
Chiefs who spoke during the meeting supported the idea saying stiffer penalties were the only solution.
Zhombe’s Senator Chief Ntabeni said it was worrying to see perpetrators who would have committed crimes, walking free after paying fines at the courts.
“Please magistrate help us, I don’t know if it is possible to cage these perpetrators, if they get arrested today, tomorrow you see them roaming the streets having paid fines and threatening to attack more people,” he said.
Chief Gwesela said as traditional leaders, they would play their role in trying to contain machete attacks.
“We as traditional leaders promise to play our role by making sure that perpetrators will have sleepless nights until they are arrested and caged. I urge my fellow chiefs to chuck out any perpetrators from their areas just like I do in my area,” he said.
Chief Gwesela also urged fellow chiefs not to protect criminals and report them to the police so that they face the wrath of the law.
Kwekwe District Administrator Mr Fortune Mpungu who chaired the meeting said traditional leaders should complement Government efforts to curb the machete attacks.
“Chiefs should work hand in hand with Government departments like police in trying to curb the problem. There are some who run away after committing a crime and hide in rural areas, chiefs should flash out such malcontents,” said Mr Mpungu.
The meeting was organised by the DA’s office and brought together stakeholders to map a way forward to end the machete craze that has resulted in many deaths in the gold rich province.
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Owen Ncube is on record calling for the jailing of machete criminals which he said were driving away potential investors.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter, a Kwekwe magistrate has dismissed a case in which Kwekwe City councillor Kandu Lawe was dragged to court facing charges of obstructing the course of justice and violence during the Zanu-PF primary elections.
In dismissing the matter, magistrate Mr Lavoroe Philemon cited that the witnesses’ proffered contradictory statements leading to the State failing to sustain its case.
“I am failing to understand who exactly saw the accused jump and order his colleague to jump from behind the counter. The witnesses are failing to provide information on who ordered Zambuko (Stanley) to jump from behind the counter as per laid charges,” said Mr Philemon.
He also noted that there was no clear indication on who exactly within the group told Zambuko to jump as the two witnesses gave diverging statements.
“The statements that are being provided by the witnesses do not hold water, leaving this court with no option but to dismiss the matter,” said Mr Philemon.
The State led by Mr Christian Gatsi allege that on 29 April at Amaveni Police Station, Clr Lawe together with a group of youths stormed into the station where they ordered the release of Stanley Zambuko.
Zambuko had been arrested for violent behaviour at Amaveni Polling Station during the ruling party’s primaries.
Zambuko, who was behind the counter, allegedly stormed out of the police station with the help of the councillor and the group of the marauding youths.
The two were also alleged to have caused violence at the polling station where they confiscated ballot boxes and threatened to beat up polling agents.
Zambuko’s violence case will however, continue by way of summons.
Online Reporter