A 29-YEAR-OLD prison officer based at Whawha Medium Prison
in Gweru who went on a rampage during protests in January has been sentenced to
six years in jail.
Joseph Njolomoli of Mkoba 5 suburb, who also played for
Whawha Football Club, appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile
Msipa facing charges of participating in an illegal gathering with intent to
promote violence and breach of peace.
Njolomoni pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was, however, convicted after a full trial
and was handed a six year prison term.
Mrs Msipa suspended a year from his sentence on condition
of good behaviour. In passing sentence,
Mrs Msipa said as a prison officer, Njolomoni was supposed to lead by example
by stopping or reporting to the police perpetrators of violence instead of participating.
The prison officer was part of a mob that looted from a
council bar in Mkoba 6.
“Property worth thousands of dollars was damaged. There was
loss of property for complainant. You grouped and went into the bar, broke the
key and gained entrance after which you looted beer, a swipe machine and a
damaged pool table. Whatever issues you had, you had no right over
complainant’s property,” she said.
“You attacked a defenceless complainant since you had a
weapon showing you had pre-planned commission of offence. The effect of the
crime on complainant, country and society is uncalled for and leads to
lawlessness and courts have a duty to protect citizens from lawlessness.
“A custodial sentence will instil confidence in the justice
system.”
The State case is that on January 15, Njolomoli, together
with other people, convened a meeting at Mkoba 5 with the intention of causing
disturbances in the city.
The court heard that on January 16, Njolomoli and a group
of protesters blocked Mkoba 5 road turn-off using logs, stones and tyres.
Residents who allegedly identified Njolomoli, among the
protesters, informed the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, who then
sent three officers to apprehend him before they handed him to the police.
Mr Talent Tadenyika appeared for the State. Herald
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