Two Chitungwiza men were on Tuesday fined $100 or face 20 days in prison for contravening the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act after they were caught photocopying pirated textbooks for resale.
BY VIMBAI MARUFU
Appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Lazarus Murendo, the two — Ian Chibanda (35) from Unit M and Kennedy Katiyo (43) from Unit O, who pleaded guilty to the offence — were also sentenced to two months in prison which was wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that on February 28 this year at around 1pm, Masimba Guzha, who is employed by Anti-Piracy Zimbabwe, received a tip-off that Chibanda was photocopying some pirated textbooks for resale.
Guzha with his team went to Chibanda’s house where they recovered 150 pirated textbooks and three photocopying machines leading to his arrest.
On the same day at around 3pm, Guzha was informed that Katiyo was conducting the same business at his residence in Unit O.
They proceeded to Katiyo’s home and recovered five pirated textbooks and one photocopying machine leading to his arrest. Norman Koropi prosecuted.
