Kwekwe resident magistrate Taurai Manwere on Monday jailed a member of the notorious Masendeke family after he convicted him of violence and destroying two DVD players at a Mbizo house.
by BLESSED MHLANGA
Engelbert Masendeke (46) will spend the next three months in jail following his conviction on malicious damage of property charges.
Masendeke vandalised property worth $50 belonging to Alpha Mishima over a $5 debt.
It was the State’s case that Masendeke, in the company of his friend who is still at large, went to Mishi’s house around 10pm on February 22 to collect a $5 debt which Mishi owed Masendeke’s friend.
When Mishi failed to pay back the $5, Masendeke and his unnamed friend became angry and started destroying household property.
Masendeke broke two DVD players by kicking and stamping them while the owner watched haplessly.
In passing sentence, Manwere said the courts would not stand aside and watch citizens take the law into their hands vigilante-style when legal and more humane ways were available to settle disputes and reclaim debts.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Manwere slapped Masendeke with a six-month jail term, but suspended two months for five years on condition of good behaviour and another month suspended on condition of restitution.
Prosecutor Fortunate Mbizvo told the court that Masendeke was not new to the courts and was not a candidate for a fine or community service since he had several previous convictions although they were not related to malicious damage to property charge.
Recently, another Masendeke brother, Elliot, was in court on charges of assaulting a barlady, resisting arrest and another of assaulting two police officers.
The other brothers Edmund and Elson are facing a murder charge after they allegedly fatally a Mbizo man in 2013 over a pool game gone wrong.
Their elder brother Edgar was sentenced to death after he was convicted of various crimes including murder.
Edgar was hanged in 2002.
