Shebeen queen bashes patron for stealing thothotho

A SHEBEEN queen from Binga has been sentenced to five months in jail after she pummelled a patron with a log for stealing a bottle of thothotho.

Thothotho is a potent illicit brew that is common in Binga. It can even kill a person if consumed in excess. Letina Mudenda, 45, from Chisamba Village under Chief Saba wascharged with assault when she appeared before Hwange magistrate Sharon Rosemani.

She pleaded guilty and told the court she committed the offence because Pindani Ncube, 24, of Kalina 1, Simbala Village under Chief Pashu had stolen her thothotho.

The magistrate suspended two months of the sentence for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining three months were suspended on condition that Mudenda completes 105 hours of community service at Tinde Clinic in Binga District.

In passing sentence, Rosemani said besides carrying out an illegal activity at her homestead, Mudenda's behaviour did not tally with societal expectations from women.

"You're a married woman and you're not expected to behave in such a manner. Not only were you engaged in an illegal activity but you went on to assault someone which is another offence.

This is the reason why community service is the appropriate sentence for you as a fine will be too lenient and trivialise the case,' said Rosemani.

In mitigation Mudenda said she was infuriated by Ncube's actions.

"I was angry that he stole my thothotho as it's my only source of livelihood," said Mudenda.

Prosecuting, Onias Nyathi said Mudenda assaulted Ncube on October 6.

"The accused hit the complainant three times on the back and once on the head using a log because the complainant had stolen tototo. The complainant sustained bruises and a cut on the head and was treated and discharged at a hospital," said Nyathi.