adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A GWANDA war veteran who called the Minister of Rural Development, Preservation of Culture and Heritage Cde Abedinico Ncube a dog, has been fined $50 or 30 days imprisonment for disorderly conduct in a public place.
Ngenangaphi Ndlovu, 55, of Nelson Ranch had denied insulting the Minister but was last week convicted and fined by magistrate Olivia Mashava Mashaire.
The magistrate said she had no reason not to believe that Ndlovu indeed insulted Minister Ncube thereby causing disorder at the war veterans meeting.
“After accused’s utterances, there was commotion and as a result the meeting adjourned.
“I would like to believe that this is what happened at Guyu Vocational Training Centre where members of the war veterans association were holding a meeting.
“I also don’t see a reason why two police officers who attended the meeting would lie that accused uttered the words,” said Mashava Mashaire in her judgment.
Two police officers stationed at Guyu Police Station Mzimazisi Nyathi, 27, and Simbarashe Maozho, 24, in their testimonies told the court that they heard Ndlovu insulting the Minister.
The magistrate said she had taken into consideration that Ndlovu was a family man and a first time offender who was mature and had led a clean life for the past 55 years.
“Accused stands convicted of a very serious offence which causes disturbance of peace in the community.
“The reason why the legislature put such a law is to maintain peace and order in such gatherings.
“It’s aggravatory that the words were directed to a minister that one should respect. This doesn’t apply only to a Minister or those in leadership positions but to everyone in community so that peace prevails,” Mashava Mashaire said.
She said Ndlovu is an elderly person who should lead by example and know how to present cases when disgruntled in a dignified manner that does not disturb peace.
Prosecuting, Teererai Mahohoma said on November 13, 2015 at around 1PM, war veterans held a meeting at Guyu Vocational Training Centre where Ndlovu stood up and chanted a slogan in Ndebele saying, “Phansi loAbedinico Ncube. Asikhipheni inja le (Down with Abedinico Ncube. Let’s remove this dog).
Ndlovu had admitted saying “Down with Abedinico Ncube” but denied the “Let’s remove this dog” part.
Ndlovu said he said “Down with Abedinico Ncube” because most war veterans were not happy with Minister Ncube’s interference in their affairs.
Online Reporter