Two music vendors get 12 months in prison for piracy

HARARE - Two music vendors were yesterday sentenced to six months' imprisonment after a Harare magistrate found them guilty of contravening the Copyright Act.

Daniel Maramba, 41, and Christine Nemakonde, 24, were each sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of a $300 fine after they were found in possession of infringed copies of local drama series Sabhuku Vharazipi.

Both pleaded guilty to the charge.

In passing sentence, Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe considered that the two were first time offenders.

"I have considered that you are first time offenders but said you committed a serious offence and benefited from the infringed productions before the owners," he said.

Maramba and Nemakonde said they were pushed by prevailing  economic hardships to commit the offence.

"I am married with five children and am not employed. I have to fend for my children and had to resort to selling discs," said Maramba.

Namakonde said: "I am single and fend for two children. The other one is of ill health and I sold the discs to sustain the children and myself."

The State proved that on November 6 at the corner of Julius Nyerere Way and Robert Mugabe Avenue, Maramba was found selling eight infringed copies of Sabhuku Vharazipi 2, which was copyrighted by owner David Mubaiwa, popularly known as Sabhuku Vharazipi.

Mubaiwa took Maramba to Harare Central Police Station and reported the matter.

On the same day, they also found Nemakonde in possession of four infringed copies of Sabhuku Vharazipi 1 and 2 and 50 international copies.

She was subsequently taken to Harare Central Police Station.