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.