Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
A BULAWAYO motorist, who gained notoriety after a video of him cutting a vehicle clamp and allegedly assaulting a parking marshal went viral, is now a free man. Partson Maseko was cleared of theft charges yesterday after the State withdrew its case before he could enter a plea due to lack of evidence.
Maseko appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Maxwell Ncube, facing a charge of theft.
According to the prosecutor, Ms Nkanyezi Xaba, the alleged incident occurred on January 28 at around 10am, at the corner of 11th Avenue and George Silundika Street in Bulawayo’s city centre.
The court heard that Maseko’s vehicle had been clamped for violating the city’s parking regulations. He allegedly used a hacksaw to cut through the clamp and drove away with it. The clamp was reportedly valued at US$250.
The incident attracted widespread public attention after a video of Maseko went viral online. In the footage, he is seen confronting and allegedly assaulting a TTI marshal before using a hacksaw to cut the padlock securing the clamp to his vehicle. Notably, the marshal did not retaliate during the confrontation.
Despite the public interest generated by the video, the charge was dropped, effectively bringing the legal proceedings to an end.
Maseko was represented by Mr Thulani Ndlovu of Ndlovu Legal Practice.
