MDC-T observer sentenced to 105 hours community service

AN MDC-T local observer who canvassed for votes by issuing pamphlets to people entering or leaving the polling stations during the referendum held in March was sentenced to 105 hours of community service.

The agreed facts are that Jennifer Svondo (29) who was accredited to observe the country's constitutional referendum elections on March 16 arrived at Seke 11 Primary School in Chitungwiza.

Upon arrival, the voting process was underway and Svondo was on duty representing her party.

The court heard that, she failed to identify herself to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission staff manning the polling station.

Instead, she went to a block of classrooms closer to two polling stations C and D while carrying Constitution Select Committee pamphlets in her bag. The pamphlets were inscribed "Why Zimbabweans should vote yes for the referendum".

Svondo started issuing them to the people either entering or leaving the station. On that basis, prosecutor Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa proved that Svondo had no right to canvass for votes in the vicinity of the polling stations.

This led to her arrest and appearance in court.

Svondo denied contravening the Electoral Act when she appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo.

However, she was found guilty and was sentenced to a wholly suspended three months jail term on condition she does the unpaid work at the court's premises.