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Woman sentenced for calling father idiot

by Tanaka Mrewa
04 Jun 2016 at 09:27hrs | Views
A WOMAN from Lobengula Extension in Bulawayo has been ordered to perform 315 hours of community service for calling members of her family idiots after they objected to her decision to cohabit with her 63-year-old boyfriend in the family home.

Lorraine Moyo, 25, was sentenced to 12 months in jail which were wholly suspended on condition that she performs 315 hours of community service.

Moyo was facing contempt of court charges for violating a previous court order not to insult or harass members of her family.

She pleaded not guilty but was convicted by Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube.

The court heard that Lorraine was cohabiting with her boyfriend in their family house with her 63-year-old boyfriend, something that was opposed by her father Eugene Moyo and all other family members.

Lorraine, who occupies three rooms with her lover at the house while the rest of her family members occupy two rooms, called her father and siblings idiots who would die poor.

In court yesterday, she said she never intended to insult her family and was sorry.

Lorraine said her stepmother was the source of their troubles as she did not want her to talk to her father.

"I'm sorry I didn't intend to insult them. Maybe it was the tone I used that made them feel like I was insulting them," she said.

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said Lorraine was arrested following the insults as that was in violation of a protection order not to insult or harass members of her family.

"On May 19, 2016, Eugene sent his daughter to deliver a letter requesting Lorraine to report to the police station regarding her cohabiting with an older man in their family house.

‘‘She insulted her and said the police wouldn't do anything to her. She said she wanted an order from the High Court (summoning her)," said Mageza. "She said she wished her father was dead or that her uncles from South Africa would come and shoot him dead.

‘‘She also told her sister that their parents ‘knees would bruise from kneeling for their ancestors."

Magistrate Dube said the state had proved its case against Lorraine, despite her denials.

"The fact that you apologised to your father shows that you admit that you insulted your family. This court therefore finds you guilty as charged," said Dube.

Source - chronicle