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Zvikomborero Parafini
In a comical attempt to scare an employer, who was owing in salaries, a security guard painted a tortoise and dumped it at her former workplace.
The suspect, Sithembiso Budzirikawa from Harare, has now been dragged to court charged for violating the Parks and Wildlife Act by removing the animal from its natural habitat. The complainant was Cassius Nyemudzwa, the human resources manager at Cliff Security.
Budzirikawa was employed by the company from April to August last year. The court heard that Budzirikawa removed a live tortoise from Chabwino farm, Goromonzi, and moved with it to Harare without a permit, in contravention of the law.
On August 21, she carried the tortoise in a white bucket which she had applied with red floor polish and tied with a red cloth with pinned needles, to her former employer’s office. She demanded her dues but failed to get anything. She then took the tortoise from the bucket and put it on the floor, threatening Nyemudzwa that the animal would use its supernatural powers to take the money.
Nyemudzwa lodged a complaint with the police and upon arrest, Budzirikawa failed to produce a license or permit allowing her to move the tortoise. Upon inquiry by the presiding magistrate Ruth Moyo, Budzirikawa said she did it because she was desperate to get her money as she was struggling to fend for her children.
She was ordered to pay a fine of US$300 by September 30 or risk three months’ imprisonment. Nomsa Kangara appeared for the State. (H Metro)
derick.khumalo