A SUSPECTED MDC-T supporter who shouted "bhora musango" 30 metres from a polling station has been jailed for three months.
John Munyikwa (39) of Domboramwari in Epworth had initially been handed a six-month jail term before Harare magistrate Anita Tshuma set aside three months for five years on condition of good behaviour.
John's accomplice Kingstone Hurudza who had first shouted "bhora mugedhi" was still at large.
John readily pleaded guilty to contravening Electoral Act saying that he was just playing with his friend Kingstone.
When magistrate Tshuma asked John what his statements meant, he said that it showed that he had voted for the MDC-T and he (John) 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," submitted 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 (Wednesday July 31), John went to Shawasha Polling Station to cast his vote.
When he finished, he moved for a distance about 30 metres away from the polling station and met Kingstone.
Kingstone then kicked an empty cardboard box to John 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 Nommater Gombacheka who was nearby heard them and when the cops approached them. Kingstone bolted from the scene leaving John to face arrest.
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