The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A MAN from Gokwe has been sentenced to an effective 12 months jail sentence for his role in the violent protests that rocked the country in January.
Innocent Knowledge Peter (51) of House No 3727, Sesame in Gokwe, was slapped with an effective one-year jail term when he appeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere last week facing public violence charges for stoning police officers and blocking roads. Peter who was convicted after a full trial had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Another accused, Lazarus Chacha (41) was acquitted after the State failed to gather enough evidence against him.
Passing judgment, Mr Manwere said Peter deserved a custodial sentence since public violence was a serious offence, adding that the sentence would send a message to would-be offenders.
“Public violence is a serious crime that should not go unpunished. You deserve a custodial sentence that would send a message to would-be offenders hence an effective 12-months jail term. You are a danger to the society and people should be protected from the likes of you,” said Mr Manwere.
The State led by Mr Methuselah Ndlovu proved that on 15 January 2019 around 9am, Peter together with his accomplices who have since appeared in court, connived to carry out violent public protests. They gathered at an open space near Choppies Supermarket and forced shops and offices within Gokwe Central Business District to close threatening to take unspecified action if they failed to comply.
Peter, the court heard, then led a group of people who went to Mateta Road where they blocked the road using rocks and burning tyres. They also proceeded to the robots intersection near Zimpost Gokwe where they also blocked the road using rocks and burning tyres. Police were called in to contain the situation but the group resisted and threatened to beat up the officers.
The rowdy youths went on to throw stones towards the police officers resulting in some officers sustaining minor injuries.
The gang was later hunted down and arrested.
