adminSululwenkosi Dube Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A PLUMTREE tout who has previous convictions for insult has been sentenced to six months in jail for insulting a bus passenger while his accomplice has been ordered to pay a $200 fine for fondling her.
David Rwatiringa (34) was convicted on his own plea of guilty to criminal insult by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Livard Philemon. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, but three months were suspended on condition that he does not within the period commit a similar offence.
His colleague, Remember Bobo (22), pleaded not guilty to indecent assault charges but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
Mr Philemon ordered Bobo to pay the $200 fine by July 31 to avoid a two months jail term.
The court heard that Bobo fondled the buttocks of the complainant and when she complained Rwatiringa insulted her.
Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Bobo and Rwatiringa committed the offences on May 13.
‘’On 13 May around 8PM, the complainant was at Plumtree Border Post where she wanted to board Kurai Bus.
‘‘Bobo touched her shoulders and fondled her buttocks.
‘’The woman protested and Rwatiringa insulted her saying: ‘What is so special about your buttocks, are you a virgin?” said Mrs Sibanda.
She said the woman reported the matter to the police and the two men were arrested.
The woman told the court that Bobo approached her as she was boarding the bus and offered to assist her to carry her luggage.
She said she turned him down and walked away but Bobo followed and held her shoulders and fondled her buttocks.
A bus company, Jay Jay Travel and Tours recently dragged Rwatiringa to court for harassing their passengers at the Plumtree Border Post.
The bus company, which was being represented by its manager, Mr Kennard Nziramasanga, was granted a court interdict barring Rwatiringa from getting anywhere near its buses.
Mr Nziramasanga told the court that Rwatiringa was in the habit of insulting, harassing and demanding money from Jay Jay Bus passengers at the Plumtree Border Post.
Rwatiringa was in May 2011 sentenced to nine months imprisonment for insulting a woman by telling her that she was a prostitute.
Last year in July he was sentenced to perform 210 hours of community service at Plumtree magistrate’s court for having sexual intercourse with a Grade 7 pupil.
In November 2011 he was sentenced to two years imprisonment for assault.
Online Reporter