The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
ZANU PF’s disqualified candidate for Chipinge South — Robert Nyemudzo — was on Wednesday convicted and jailed for two years for brewing illicit beer at his homestead at Checheche Growth Point.
Nyemudzo (42), had pleaded not guilty to charges of contravening the Harmful Liquids Act (Chapter 9:10).
However, Chipinge Magistrate, Mr Franklin Mkwananzi said the State proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt that Nyemudzo committed the serious crime.
Mr Mkwananzi said due to the nature of the crime, Nyemudzo deserves a custodial sentence to deter would-be offenders.
Six months of the sentence were suspended on condition that Nyemudzo does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Mr Mkwananzi said Nyemudzo’s behaviour militated against concerted efforts by Government to fight drug peddling and abuse of dangerous substances.
“This is a serious offence which deserves a custodial sentence. Illicit beer brewing and drug peddling have caused untold suffering to the people across the country.
“Government has taken stern measures to fight drug abuse, and the judiciary has also taken an equally stern stance against drugs.
“It will be a mockery to the justice system to pass a lighter sentence as we want to deter would-be offenders,” said Mr Mkwananzi.
In mitigation, Nyemudzo’s attorney, Mr Simon Simango of Nyikadzino and Simango Associates had pleaded for a lighter sentence for his client.
“Your worship, I’m pleading for the court to pass a lighter sentence in the form of a fine or community service considering that he is a first offender. The accused is a family man with two wives and eight children who are all dependent on him. If the courts give him a custodial sentence, it will ruin the future of his family.
“He is also a benefactor of the family and is taking care of his ailing father and mother,’’ said Mr Simango. However, Mr Thulani Zondwayo, who was representing the State, dismissed the submission.
“There are aggravating circumstances in this matter. The accused was brewing beer in large quantities for commercial purposes. A report from a forensic scientist on the contents of the illicit beer is frightening on the level of toxicity of the illicit brew.
“The accused used fake names of recognised brands to push sales of his illegal brew to unsuspecting consumers, which is not fair,” said Mr Zondwayo.
Circumstances were that sometime in 2020, the police in Chisumbanje conducted an operation code named ‘No to illicit beer at Checheche Growth Point’.
The police then received a tip-off that Nyemudzo was brewing illicit beer at his homestead in Phase 2, Chipinge.
They besieged the homestead and found Nyemudzo’s employees brewing illicit beer.
Police then confiscated 20360 x 200mls of illicit beer; 2380x200mls of empty plastic bottles and 6×20 buckets of ethanol, part of which were produced in court as exhibit.
Government has taken a firm stance against drugs and substance abuse through a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach in order to arrest the situation.
