Hwange

Three Victoria Falls men sent to psychiatric institutions after violent outbursts

Published

3 days ago

September 24, 2024

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Three Victoria Falls men have been sent to Mlondolozi Mental Health Prison after exhibiting violent behavior and being deemed mentally unstable.

The men, Wonder Siyangaphi, Bheki Moyo, and Trust Sibanda, appeared in court on Monday before Victoria Falls Residents’ Magistrate Gift Manyika.

Wonder Siyangaphi, 40, is charged with contravening the Domestic Violence Act by failing to adhere to a protection order and physically abusing his cousin, Nomqhele Sibanda. Bheki Moyo, 38, is charged with malicious damage to property after smashing Nkosilathi Siziba’s vehicle windscreen. Trust Sibanda, 24, is charged with damaging property at Ko-Mpofu La Night Club.

According to the facts presented in court, Wonder Siyangaphi threatened to assault his cousin, Nomqhele Sibanda, on September 18, at house in Chinotimba. This incident occurred despite a protection order granted by the court on September 13, ordering Siyangaphi not to insult, assault, harass, or threaten Sibanda.
Additionally, Siyangaphi physically abused Sibanda on September 9, slapping her several times and hitting her several times with a broomstick.

Bheki Moyo caused damage to Nkosilathi Siziba’s vehicle on September 20, at Chinotimba Bus Terminus. Moyo smashed the windscreen of Siziba’s Peugeot vehicle, valued at $250, using an unknown object.

Trust Sibanda damaged property at Ko-Mpofu La Night Club on September 17. Sibanda entered the night club and went to the cold room, where he damaged 15 bottles of Black Label beer by throwing them on the floor. The total value of the damaged property is $22.

The accused men’s responses in court demonstrated their mental instability, leading Magistrate Manyika to call for medical attention. Their cases highlight the complexities of mental health in criminal proceedings. The men’s violent behavior and failure to adhere to court orders and respect the property of others led to their transfer to Mlondolozi Mental Health Prison for further evaluation and treatment.

Hwange

Dete man sentenced to 20 years for rape

Published

21 hours ago

September 26, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 57-year-old man from Chezhou Village, Dete, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a 53-year-old woman.

According to court records, the accused person, whose name has been withheld, stood trial at Hwange Magistrates’ Court facing charges of rape.

On July 3, at around 9:00 a.m., the complainant met the accused person and requested mealie meal to feed her family.

The accused person invited her to his house, but instead of giving her mealie meal, he grabbed her hands from behind, pushed her into the kitchen hut, and locked the door using a chain.

The complainant tried to escape, but the accused person blocked her way, pushed her down, and raped her once.

The complainant reported the matter to the police on July 10, leading to the accused person’s arrest.

The court also heard that the accused person infected the complainant with a sexually transmitted infection.

In passing sentence, the magistrate condemned the accused person’s actions, saying that rape is a serious violation of a person’s rights and dignity.

The accused person was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest.

Hwange

Hwange man in court for stealing leftovers

Published

2 days ago

September 25, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Hwange resident has been convicted of burglary after stealing pots of food and drinks from two homes.

The accused person broke into the first complainant’s kitchen on September 20, making off with two silver pots containing sadza and beans.

Carlos Ncube, a 26-year-old resident of Makwika village, was identified as the accused person.

The complainant discovered the theft the next morning and tracked the shoe prints to Ncube’s residence.

In a separate incident on the same night, Ncube also burgled a tuck-shop in the same village, stealing soft drinks and mahewu worth ZWG514.17.

All stolen items were recovered, and Ncube was found guilty.

He is set to appear in court today for sentencing.

Hwange

Ex-husband fined $200 for insulting former wife on WhatsApp

Published

2 days ago

September 25, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Victoria Falls court has ordered a man to pay a fine of $200 for insulting his ex-wife or face two months in prison.

The fine must be paid to the state by October 31.

Steven Stephen Sithole, 52, was charged with cyberbullying and harassment after sending an insulting voice message to his ex-wife, Bekezela Sithole, via WhatsApp.

The message, sent on September 13, was meant to intimidate, harass, bully, or cause substantial distress to Sithole, the prosecution argued.

This wad after the couple’s daughter had fallen ill, and the ex-wife had asked Sithole’s brother to inform him. In response, Sithole sent the insulting message typed in Ndebele and undressing.

The complainant reported the incident to the police, leading to Sithole’s arrest.