Aspiring voter in dock for identity fraud

A MWENEZI man, who was desperate to register to vote in next year’s general elections under the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system, has been slapped with a one-month prison sentence after using his sibling’s identity card to register.

Mwenezi resident magistrate Mr Honest Musiiwa last week jailed Humphrey Musvabi of Zishiri Farm in Umbono Ranch for 30 days after convicting him of violating the Electoral Act.

Alternatively, he has to pay a $100 fine. In his defence, Musvabi told the court that he used his elder brother’s identity card because he did not have one himself. Mr Musiiwa told Musvabi that the court had been lenient with him after taking into account that he was a mere farm worker who was the only bread winner in his family.

Agreed facts were that some time this month, Musvabi went to the farm manager at his workplace and asked for proof of residence to go and register to vote using his brother’s identity card.

The farm manager asked him to explain the discrepancy in the name written on the ID and Musvabi’s known name, but he claimed that the name of the ID card was his second name.

Musvabi was given the proof of residence and proceeded to the Mwenezi District Adminstrator’s Office, where he used his brother’s name to register as a voter.

Investigations later revealed that Musvabi’s brother, Fortunate, was actually resident in Namibia. A report was made to police. Ms Angelina Makonya appeared for the State.