Man weeps over sentence, begs magistrate to save him jail time sentence

A BULAWAYO man wept in court yesterday begging the magistrate to save him jail time since he went through hell when he was previously incarcerated for another offence.

Limukani Ncube from Old Pumula suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube facing charges of malicious damage to property.

The court heard that on April 5 at Malaba shops turn-off at around 7.45PM, Ncube turned violent towards Langton Moyo after he had seen the latter's vehicle parked near a house where a woman the accused loves lived.

A misunderstanding ensued resulting in Ncube damaging the complainant's car windscreen saying, "Vele mina ngilunywa yijele".

However, in court the accused told the magistrate that he had not intended to break the car's windscreen, but emotions took control of him. "I was controlled by emotions, I did not mean to damage the windscreen or any property," he said.

Ncube sobbed before the magistrate saying he cannot face the prospect of going back to jail again. The accused was said to have previously been jailed for malicious damage to property. The full details of that initial case were not immediately available.

"I do not want to go back to jail, your worship. I went through hell when I was there. Your worship, please do not send me there again," he said.

He said the reason why he became violent was jealousy.

"I saw the complainant's car parked at a house next door where there is a girl I love and thought he was taking chances with her and I became violent and couldn't control my emotions," he said.

Dube disregarded Ncube's pleas and sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspending three months for good behaviour.