Man jailed for shouting 'bhora musango' near a polling station

A 39-year-old Epworth man, John Munyikwa has been jailed for three months for shouting "bhora musango" near a polling station.

Munyikwa of Domboramwari in Epworth had initially been handed a six months jail term before Harare magistrate Anita Tshuma set aside three months for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Munyikwa's accomplice Kingstone Hurudza who had first shouted "bhora mugedhi" is still at large.
John pleaded guilty to contravening the Electoral Act saying that he was just joking with his friend, Hurudza.

When Ms Tshuma asked Munyikwa what his statements meant, he said that it showed that he had voted for the MDC-T and he agreed that such conduct was unlawful.

State prosecutor Tungamirai Chakurira submitted that "a short and sharp custodial sentence" would meet the justice of the case because his statements had the potential to cause violence.

"The accused committed an offence that has the potential to cause disaster. The timing was unfortunate because it is everyone's desire that peace continues to prevail in the country," said prosecutor Chakurira.

Prosecutor Chakurira added that: "Such reckless conduct and utterances should be avoided at a time of elections because they have a potential to cause public disorder and violence. The electoral period should expire while the accused is in custody".

It was proved that on election day (July 31), Munyikwa went to Shawasha polling station in Epworth to cast his vote.

When he finished, he moved for a distance of about 30 metres away from the polling station and met Hurudza.

Hurudza then kicked an empty cardboard box to Munyikwa shouting "bhora mugedhi" but the latter kicked back the cardbox to his colleague shouting "bhora musango".

The State proved that John's chants meant vote MDC-T.

Constable Nomatter Gombacheka who was nearby heard them and when he was approached Hurudza bolted from the scene leaving Munyikwa to

face arrest.