News / Local
Anti-Mugabe man freed by the court
18 Jan 2015 at 18:33hrs | Views
The matter involving a Bulawayo man, who was arrested for hurling anti-President Robert Mugabe insults at his former domestic worker, has been set aside after the complainant failed to pitch up for commencement of the trial.
Justin Jeffrey Povey (40) of Morningside in Bulawayo allegedly insulted Norman Mhlophe, calling him "a half-born person and an idiot'.
He allegedly further told him to go and report to his "father, Robert Mugabe, who has killed the country".
Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya presided over the case on Thursday at the Tredgold Courts and put the matter off remand after Mhlophe did not avail himself for trial kick off.
Tashaya ruled that the matter would continue by way of summons.
In his defence outline, Povey denies committing the alleged offence, claiming that there was no evidence that he uttered the insults.
"The state evidence being solely of a single uncorroborated witness, the Accused will pray for his acquittal," notes part of the outline.
It is the state's case that on November 6 2014, at around 2pm, the complainant, Norman Mhlophe (44), received a phone call from Povey, instructing him to take a lawnmower to his house in Suburbs.
Tempers reportedly flared when Mhlophe declined to adhere to his superior's orders.
Povey allegedly insulted the man over the phone, using unprintable words.
"… you are a half-born person, an idiot, go and report to your father, Robert Mugabe, who killed the country (sic)," Povey allegedly said.
Mhlophe reported Povey's alleged abusive insults to the police, leading to the man's arrest.
Justin Jeffrey Povey (40) of Morningside in Bulawayo allegedly insulted Norman Mhlophe, calling him "a half-born person and an idiot'.
He allegedly further told him to go and report to his "father, Robert Mugabe, who has killed the country".
Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya presided over the case on Thursday at the Tredgold Courts and put the matter off remand after Mhlophe did not avail himself for trial kick off.
Tashaya ruled that the matter would continue by way of summons.
In his defence outline, Povey denies committing the alleged offence, claiming that there was no evidence that he uttered the insults.
It is the state's case that on November 6 2014, at around 2pm, the complainant, Norman Mhlophe (44), received a phone call from Povey, instructing him to take a lawnmower to his house in Suburbs.
Tempers reportedly flared when Mhlophe declined to adhere to his superior's orders.
Povey allegedly insulted the man over the phone, using unprintable words.
"… you are a half-born person, an idiot, go and report to your father, Robert Mugabe, who killed the country (sic)," Povey allegedly said.
Mhlophe reported Povey's alleged abusive insults to the police, leading to the man's arrest.
Source - Zim Mail
