BY AWAKHIWE KHUMALO
A 62 year- old Victoria Falls man has been ordered to pay a fine of $10 000 after an animal welfare organization found him in a scotch cart being pulled by three donkeys, one of whom was seriously injured on the chest.
The court heard this when Mlele Sibanda from Sizinda Village in the outskirts of Victoria Falls, recently appeared before the Victoria Falls residents magistrate Godswill Mevenge charged with animal cruelty.
The state, presented by Bhekimpilo Tshabalala alleged that on September 21 and at 401 kilometer peg along Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road, Claire Julie Elhorn was driving her vehicle where she noticed Sibanda in a scotch cart being pulled by three donkeys,.
“One of them had severe injuries on the chest which prompted her to file for a case.”
In court, Elhorn employed by Animal Welfare of Zimbabwe said the extent of the injuries on the donkey proved it had been continuously abused without any medical treatment being rendered on it.
However, in mitigation, Sibanda said he was not aware of the extent of the injuries and asked the courts to give him a lenient sentence.
After considering his plea, Mavenge ordered that the injured donkey be repossessed from Sibanda and be taken for medical treatment while he also pays a fine of $10 000.