More woes for unlicenced driver

AN unlicenced driver based at Blanket Mine in Gwanda who initially accused police officers of damaging his car keys saw the magistrate throwing aside his allegations and instead suggested that he be charged for three offences.

Welcome Moyo (34) had initially pressed charges against Munodawafa Manyakara (35) alleging that he damaged his car keys when he forcibly removed them from the ignition when he was stopped at a road block.

However, Manyakara who is a police officer denied the charge of malicious damage to property and told the court that he never came close to Moyo’s ignition.

He stated that Moyo ordered them to introduce themselves to him, politely greeted him before they could tell him to park by the roadside. He further alleged that Moyo told them that he was the boss and they ought to bow down to him and his car cannot just be stopped by them.

Provincial magistrate in charge, Mr Maphios Moyo ruled in favour of Manyakara and said that Moyo turned out to have committed other offences in which he ought to be charged.

“Welcome is considered to be a troublesome person who failed to comply with road rules. Police at road blocks have rights to carry out their mandate, to check driver’s licences and also vehicles’ worth to be on the road. He was driving a vehicle which is under RT16 he was given by the Vehicle Inspection Department on 16 September banning the vehicle to be on the road until it has been repaired and certified road worthy. This case is not adequately substantial therefore establishes nonguilty in the part of the accused person. Moyo sought to abuse the legal and judicial powers to cover up for his forth wrongs therefore he can’t be entertained and the accused is acquitted,” said Mr Moyo.

The magistrate said instead Moyo ought to be charged for all these road offences he committed.

Allegations are that on 3 October Moyo was driving a Honda CRV heading to Beitbridge along the BulawayoBetbridge Road.

At a roadblock at the 127km peg, he was ordered to pull off the road, he refused and remained stationed on the road awaiting to be told the reason why he had been stopped.

It is said that Manyakara with his colleagues forcibly removed his car keys from the ignition and damaged the keys. He then proceeded to report the matter without showing anyone, besides his friends, the keys.

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