A HARARE man, who was recently caught operating an illegal and unlicensed lodge, was on Monday this week slapped with a $100 fine, or in default of payment to serve a 30-day prison term.
BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
The convict, Silent Zimowa (35), who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the charges of illegally operating Dolphin Lodge, situated in seedy Harare Street in the capital, when he appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe.
In passing sentence, Mahwe said he took into consideration that Zimowa had not wasted the court’s time by pleading guilty to the charges.
“In assessing sentence, I have noted that you showed contrition by admitting the charges, thus serving the court’s time. However, the court has to show displeasure at the conduct of operating a tourist facility without the requisite licence,” Mahwe said.
“A nominal fine as a first offender is a suitable sentence and, therefore, you are sentenced to pay $100 or serve 30 days in prison.”
It was the State’s case that last Sunday police detectives went on patrol in the Kopje area, looking at whether businesses operating there were properly registered.
On arriving at Dolphin Lodge they met Zimowa, who manages the premises and asked him to provide his operating licenses, but the latter failed to produce the licenses leading to his immediate arrest.
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Zimowa was then detained overnight at Harare Central Police Station before he was brought to court.
Francesca Mukumbiri appeared for the State.
