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Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 24-YEAR-OLD tout from Bulawayo will spend the next 30 days in prison for insulting and mocking a disabled man whom he called a useless paralympic.
Fanuel Lunga appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu charged with criminal insult and threats of violence. He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty after overwhelming evidence was produced against him.
The presiding magistrate castigated people who insult and mock people living with disabilities.
“Nobody chooses to be born with a disability or to go through an experience that leaves them disfigured. It is highly insensitive and stupid to mock them.
The court will use your case to set an example for society that people living with disabilities are protected and should not be poked fun at. People like you deserve to be punished,” said Mr Ndhlovu.
“You are therefore sentenced to an effective 30 days in prison, without the option of a fine.”
Prosecuting, Mr Brian Nkala said Lunga and the complainant Mr Godfrey Pfumba are touts at the same rank. They had an argument sometime last month and Lunga started mocking Mr Pfumba about his physical challenges.
“On December 21, 2016, the accused person and the complainant had a misunderstanding. The accused person threatened to kill the complainant and remove his only eye so that he remains totally blind,” said Mr Nkala.
The complainant reported the matter to the police.
He told the magistrate that he was made to feel like a lesser human being.
“The accused person became violent after I asked him to return my portion of our touting allowance. He told me that I should go back to Pumula North where I belong. He called me a useless, cursed paralympic and said he would remove my only eye and kill me. I was hurt and I started crying and went to report the matter to the police,” said Mr Pfumba.
— @andile_tshuma
Bongani Ndlovu