Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushowe has freed a Kombi driver who had been arrested for calling President Emmerson Mnangagwa a dog.

David Ndlovu was freed on Monday after the magistrate ruled that the state had failed prove its allegations against the accused.

The court claimed that Ndlovu, of Sauurcetown in Bulawayo, met one Sibekezile Jele at Puma Service Station situated at corner Lobengula Street and 6th Avenue in the city.

Jele, a nurse aid at a local nursing home, approached a paraffin vendor only identified in court as Banda intending to buy the fuel.

When Jele complained that the paraffin was too expensive, Ndlovu allegedly interjected and said in isiNdebele “Wena hantsho wavota wathi ED pfee, sizabona ukuthi inja leyo izalenzani” (You voted for ED, we will see what that dog of yours is going to do for you).

“The state failed to bring witnesses to corroborate what the complainant told the court,” he said.

“It is clear that there was no commotion or peace disturbances after the accused allegedly uttered those words.”

Ndlovu’s lawyer, Dixon Abraham from the Christian Legal Society, welcomed the ruling.

“I had always known that the State had no case,” he said.

“The State should not waste the court’s time by bringing petty squabbles before the courts.

“There are serious offences which are being committed every day which need urgent address and not these minor cases.”