The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
INVADING and resisting eviction from a farm owned by former Energy and Power Development Minister, Dr Samuel Undenge, has earned a 59-year-old Chimanimani man 30 months imprisonment.
Andrew Kadungure of Mbembedzi Village under Chief Chikukwa’s area appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Alfred Chinembiri on Tuesday. He was facing contempt of court charges as defined in Section 182 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Kadungure was convicted on his own guilty plea and Mr Chinembiri sentenced him to 30 months in jail.
However,the sentence was wholly suspended on condition that he pays a fine of $30 000 before February 28.
Kadungure said he is prepared to vacate the farm. Dr Undenge recently approached the Chipinge Civil Court applying for the eviction of illegal settlers from his farm.
The court ruled in Dr Undenge’s favour and Kadungure and other villagers were ordered to vacate the farm.
However, Kudungure resisted, while other occupants complied. Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said on December 9, Kadungure defied a court order to vacate Dr Undenge’s Merrywaters Farm. “On November 1, the accused appeared before the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court where together with other illegal occupants of the farm he were ordered to vacate Lot One of Merrywaters Farm in Chimanimani.
“On December 2, police officers, together with the Messenger of Court officials, proceeded to the farm and evicted the illegal settlers from the farm.
“On December 9, the police officers, together with Dr Undenge, drove to the farm and found Kadungure and other accused persons still staying there in violation of a court order. Kadungure was arrested,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
